WHAT EVERY FAMILY WANTS. 



THE 



FAMILY PHYSICIAN; 



CONTAINING 



Simple Remedies, Easily^ Obtained, for the 
Cure of Disease in all its Forms. 



BY RACHEL M. WATSON, M. D. 




SALEM, OHIO: 

J. K. RL T KEXBROD, PUBLISHER. 

1808. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 186S, by 

RACHEL M. WATSON, M. D., 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States 
for the Northern District of Ohio. 




?r- 



TO THE 

MEMORY OF 

AARON COMFORT, 

Of Philadelphia, 

GRANDSON OF THE LATE JOHN WOODMAN, 

This Work 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 

BY HIS 
GRATEFUL FRIEND, 

TOE irTHORESS. 



INTRODUCTION 






The object of this work is to diffuse informa- 
tion in regard to attendance upon the sick; how 
to cook for them, and to prepare drinks, poultices, 
etc., and how to guard against infection from con- 
tagious diseases. It gives the symtoms of fevers, 
with the best and simplest remedies for their cure. 
It also treats of the various diseases of children, 
of cholera in all its forms, with infallible remedies 
if timely and perseveringly applied. 

It was presented to my mind several years since 
to publish a little work for the benefit of my fel- 
low-creatures, especially those of my own sex, giv- 
ing my experience in the treatment of disease, and 
observations on its nature. I have been both a 
sufferer and a witness of the direful effects of 
ignorance on the part of some, and of others a 
prejudice against a plain and simple method of 
treating disease according to the laws of nature, 
and in the use of her own remedies, with which 
we are so amply provided, and which are trodden 
under foot, as useless, by thousands of sufferers, 



VI INTBODUCTION. 

who might, by a judicious use of them, rise 
to a higher physical life,— we might say moral, 
also,— for a perfectly sound and healthy mind 
cannot exist in a worn-out body. 

I desire to make this a plain, practical work, 
free from medical terms, and easily to be under- 
stood. From knowledge acquired from several 
year's experience in the practice of medicine, I 
shall endeavor to contribute to this many valuable 
articles on the treatment of most diseases, to which 
I add a number of valuable recipes, many of which 
I can recommend from personal experience in the 
use of them. These recipes may soon save you 
many times the cost of the book. 

The authoress begs leave, as she considers it a 
duty to her readers, as well as to herself, to quote 
many recent observations and discoveries in the 
treatment of disease. 

"Hast thou power? the Aveak defend; 
Light? give light— thy knowledge lend." 

The way to health, as Franklin remarks on 
wealth, " is as plain as the way to market. ' ' Every 
person should acquire a knowledge of medicine 
for their own benefit, — particularly mothers, — 
whether they intend to practice it or not. The 
art of preventing and curing disease is simple and 
easily learned if rightly undertaken. A late wri- 
ter observes that if women generally understood 



INTRODUCTION. VII 

properly their own physiology and hygiene, and 
that pertaining to their offspring, there would be 
vastly less of suffering among them and in their 
families, and fewer cases of "Female Weakness," 
for which remedies are advertised in almost every 
paper. This would strike at the root of the evils 
sought to be remedied, by removing the ignor- 
ance of women on these subjects, which fosters 
prudery and false ideas of life and the relations of 
the sexes. All persons, (women as well as men,) 
should have proper and thorough instruction on 
all points which relate to their health and happi- 
ness. Knowledge of themselves, and ail that is at- 
tainable of the mysterious phenomenon of life, is 
more essential to women, for it most deeply con- 
cerns them. It is they who have the care of our 
little ones, and on them depend the health of the 
future generations. This knowledge can be ob- 
tained by all, if sought in earnest. 

Much credit is due our well known friend, Dr. 
Joseph S. Longshore, of Philadelphia, for the ad- 
vancement of a school in that city for the educa- 
tion of females, in an annual report of which, he 
says, "as a means of insuring a more healthful 
and better development of the race; a more 
thorough knowledge of physiology and the laws 
of life is indispensable; a thorough change is 
needed, nay, demanded in the education and phy- 
sical training of women. She must know herself, 



V 1 1 1 1XTKODUCTIOX. 

physiologically, and be made fully to understand 
the high mission she is destined to fill in the rela- 
tion of wife and mother. Otherwise, herself and 
posterity must continue to suffer the penalties 
ever consequent upon violated laws." 



DEATH OF SAMUEL THOMSON, M. D. 



When the death of a good and great man is 
announced, we love to dwell on the virtues and 
commemorate the distinguished services he has 
rendered to his fellow man. The death of Samuel 
Thomson is a' strong elucidation of this inclination 
of the human mind. He seemed to possess that 
peculiar cast of intellect so necessary for one en- 
gaged in the healing art; a characteristic of mind 
given by nature, and which cannot be acquired by 
the reading of books, or the study of theories. 

In early life he searched the vegetable kingdom 
for remedies to remove disease from the human 
system. Without instruction, or the least aid 
from any one, he discovered the properties of 
various plants ; and to test their healing powers, 
he tried experiments on himself. 

When he made these discoveries, it is doubtful 
if he had ever seen, much less, read a book on bota- 
ny, or materia medica. He came from his Maker's 
hand, a botanist, and without a diploma from any 
college, he became well versed in the healing 



10 SAMUEL THOMSON, M. L>. 

properties of plants, and became highly skilled in 
removing diseases to which human nature is heir. 
Hifl system is founded on the clearest principles of 
philosophy; agreeing with Hippocrates of old, and 
the great Rush, of whose fame, as a medical man, 
Americans are proud. In one life, not unusually 
protracted, Thomson saw at least 3,000,000 intel- 
ligent beings embracing his system of practice. 
If" was the originator of the botanic system of 
medicine; a system that, in forty years, and dur- 
ing his own life-time, has saved millions of human 
beings from a miserable life and a premature 
grave ; a system which spread more rapidly over 
the world, than any other system ever did upon 
its own merits; a system which will immortalize 
its founder. 

We do not eay that this system has no defects, 
or even errors; but we maintain that its main 
foundations are on the rock of eternal truth, and 
can never be shaken. Future generations may 
build upon it, but other medical foundations "can 
no man lay," which will stand the test of enlight- 
ened experience. His negative position, that 
what will kill a well man should never be given 
to the sick, and his position that all medicines, or 
remedial means should harmonize with the physio- 
•al actions, will stand unaltered while the 
world shall stand. "All disease is caused by ob- 
struction to the vital action; and all remedies 



-AMI EL THOMSON,. M. J). 11 

must be directly calculated to remove these ob- 
structions," was his motto. Furious was the war 
waged against him, and against all who Jared to 
uphold him. It was as much as any man's repu- 
tation was worth to avow himself a follower of 
Thomson. But how has truth triumphed over 
falsehood; innocence over calumny; right over 
wrong; nature over scientific imposture! We do 
not say or believe that he has exhausted the field 
ledical discovery or improvement; for it will 
not be given to any single mind to do this ; and 
something more still undoubtedly lies beyond, in 
due season to be revealed. Yet I am satisfied, 
both from experience and observation, of its ex- 
cellent results ; having had upwards of thirty years 
acquaintance with this system of medicine, I pro- 
nounce it incomparably superior to any which 
schools have designed to approve. 

This great reformer and benefactor departed 
this life in Boston, Massachusetts, on the fourth 
of the tenth month, 1843, in the seventy-fifth 
year of his age. 

"Nothing great is lightly won, 

Xothing won is lost ; 
Every good deed nobly done, 
Will repay the cost/" 



•v 

LETTERS OF Dr. WATERHOUSE. 



The following letters, written by Benjamin 
Waterhouse, M. D., we copy from the Philadel- 
phia Medical Journal, believing that, though 
many of our readers may have read them before, 
they will still bear another reading without tax- 
ing the patience of any one. "Dr. Waterhouse, 
it will be remembered, was a lecturer on the 
Theory and Practice of Medicine in the Cam- 
bridge University, (Mass.), for a period of twenty- 
seven years. His fame, as medical philosopher, 
has extended to France, England, and Germany, 
in which countries he is deservedly appreciated 
and admired ; and even previous to his Essays on 
Thomson's System of Medicine, he was regarded 
in this country as one of the brightest ornaments 
of the medical profession." 

No. I. 

To the Editor of the Boston Courier : — I have 
lately read with considerable interest, and some 
surprise, a little volume of nearly two hundred 
pages, entitled: "A Narrative of the Life and 
Medical Discoveries of Samuel Thomson, contain- 



LETTERS OF DR. WATERHOUSE. 18 

ing an account of his System of Practice, and 
manner of Curing Disease with Vegetable Medi- 

cines, upon an Plan entirely New;" to which is 
added his New Guide to Health, containing the 
principles upon which the system is founded. 

While reading the book, I said to those who 
recommended it to my perusal, this man is no 
"Quack." He narrates his medical discoveries, 
gives an account of his system of practice, togeth- 
er with his manner of curing disease, upon a plan 
confessedly new; to which he adds the principles 
upon which his new system is founded. He who 
does this is no Charlatan, but by uniting theory 
to practice, merits attention. With these ideas 
of cultivation and promulgation of human knowl- 
edge, I read the narrative of Samuel Thomson, 
and soon perceived that he was a man of good 
capacity, persevering temper, and benevolent dis- 
position, and then he acquired his knowledge of 
the hitherto unknown virtues of certain plants by 
experiments, first on himself and then on those 
about him. In the course of twenty or thirty 
years, he arranged his experimental knowledge 
into a system, as did the father of physic before 
him, however imperfect; and, having done this to 
the best of his power, (for he had no literary edu- 
cation,) he published the result of his experience, 
labor and thought to the world, for it to judge of 
them and of him. 



1 I LETTERS OF DR. WATERHOUSE. 

Auto- Biography is a profitable species of writ- 
ing to the world, but dangerous to the writer him- 
self, especially if a professional man, or a political 
partisan; before he can gain credit for one honor- 
able motive, every sinister object that can be 
imagined will be laid to his account. Who, among 
his competitors, will exercise that impartiality on 
hearing his story, which they require of him in 
relating it? Narrow minded jealousy will per- 
vert everything. We may allow for a little high 
coloring in controversy with rivals — very few 
physicians or divines are free from it ; but if 
Samuel Thomson, in the narrative of his life, .has 
not turned aside from facts, he has been unjustlv 
treated, and in some instances most cruelly perse- 
cuted. He has given names, dates, places and 
events, and spoken of judges, sheriffs, jailors, and 
witnesses, in a style so plain as to exclude equivo- 
cation ; and the same of a noted preacher. If 
what he has said of them be false, he ought to be 
exposed and publicly punished ; if true, he merits 
protection. 

His discoveries are valuable or insignificant; 
his practice a nuisance or a benefit; his writ- 
ings, useful, or a tissue of lies and calumnies ; 
his Patent, honorable, or a disgrace to our gov- 
ernment; and it is not beneath the dignity of any 
physician, divine, or philosopher, to inquire into 
the truth of a series of experiments published 



LETTERS OF DR. WATERHOUSE. 10 

with so much confidence, and purporting to be for 
the benefit of mankind. 

I have no doubt that Samuel Thomson has add- 
ed a very valuable article to the Materia Medica, 
and that he has again and again relieved the sick 
when others have failed. From all that I can 
recollect, I am induced to believe that he is not an 
avaricious man, but one who is more flattered by 
success in relieving the sick than in receiving 
their money. This at least entitles him tc a fair 
and patient hearing. It is possible he may have 
deceived himself; but it does not appear that he 
has laid himself out like a conjuror, to deceive 
others. If this man has devoted the greater part 
of his life to the relief of his fellow-man, his labors 
claim respect, and his errors our indulgence ; for 
who of us are free from them? Let the unpreju- 
diced man, who reads his Narrative and Guide to 
Health, judge for himself; but should he boggle at 
his theory of heat and cold, let him remember that 
Thomson, without knowing it, has adopted a theory 
of Galen ; and his idea of the preserving power of 
nature, the curer of disease and preserver of life, 
appears to be the same as that acknowledged by 
Hippocrates; but the writer could not express it 
in Greek. 

Thomson is not a Quack, if by quack, we mean 
a vain, artful, tricking practitioner in physic. 
He is an Experiment er who accumulates knowl- 



l(i LETTEES OF DR. WATERIIOUSE. 

edge by his own experience. There was a sect 
among the ancients who assumed the appellation to 
distinguish themselves from dogmatists, who, with- 
out experience, taught dogmas. If Samuel Thom- 
son be a quack, he is a quack sui generis, for being 
an enemy to concealment, he tells all he knows in 
as plain a manner as he possibly can, and leaves 
you to form your own j udgment, provided you divest 
yourself of the fashion of this world in physic, 
which, with priestcraft, is fast passing away. 

Read this book, men of New England, and after 
making due allowance for the author's condition, 
situation and provocations, judge whether such a 
man merits the persecution he has endured, and 
the treatment he has met with. 

Benjamin Waterhouse. 

No. II. 

To Samuel Thomson, — Bear Sir: To the 
questions put to me yesterday I answer, that I 
remain firm in the opinion that you were the dis- 
coverer of the remarkable medical virtues of the 
Lobelia inflata, as a safe emetic, and other rare 
qualities in effectually deterging the stomach and 
intestines of foul and morbid matter — a prime 
object in removing all disorders consequent on im- 
perfect digestion. The efficacy and safety of this 
vegetable I have had ample and repeated proofs of 
in a number of cases, and in my own person, and 



LETTEBS OF DR. WATERHOUSE. 17 

haw reason to value it equal to any article in our 
Materia Medica. 

That you yourself were the originator of this 
compound process, very extensively known under 
the title of Thomsons Practice or System, I have 
no doubt whatever. I mean the uniting the warm 
hath, with the thorough cleansing of the whole 
alimentary canal. I value and recommend it on 
this account. It effects in three or four days, what 
we regular physicians use to occupy as many weeks 
in accomplishing. As a public teacher of the 
practice of physic, I have told my pupils for nearly 
half a century past, that when they had learned 
how to restore the long impaired organs of digestion 
to their pristine or natural state, they have acquired 
two-thirds of their profession ; and on that simple 
principle is based the whole doctrine of my printed 
lecture on the pernicious effects of smoking cigars 
and the inordinate use of ardent spirits. 

Furthermore; the regular physician finds it 
necessary sometimes to make a great change in the 
human frame, or to make a very strong counter 
irritation so as to obliterate the morbid or destruc- 
tive one. This used to be done by quicksilver, that 
is, mercury in the various preparations ; when 
pushed to a salivation it dilapidates, if we may so 
speak, or dissolves the human fluids, all of which 
are made up of globules, or round particles, on the 
crams of which depends the vital integrity of our 



18 LETTERS OF DR. WATERHOUSE. 

bodies, and of course our health and vigor. After 
the hazardous process of salivation, the physician 
may, perhaps, be able to say, — now I have so far 
changed the morbid state of the patient, that his 
disease is conquered, and entirely overcome by the 
powerful operation of the mercury. But then in 
what condition does he find the sufferer ? His 
teeth are loosened, his joints are weakened, his 
healthy countenance is impaired, his voice is more 
feeble, and he is more susceptable of cold, and a 
damp state of the weather. His original disorder 
is, to be sure, overcome, but it is paying a great 
price for it. Secret history conceals from public 
notice innumerable victims of this sort. 

I consider a man laboring under a chronic disease 
of some time standing, who has passed through one, 
two, or three, (as the case may be) of your processes 
of the lobelia emetic, to be as much altered as the 
man who has gone through the very disagreeable 
and dangerous operation of the mercurial saliva- 
tion; and if so, your discovery is highly valuable, 
and on this account it was that I spoke freely and 
strongly in commendation of the new practice, and 
was not afraid nor ashamed to hail you as a great 
Reformer, and to give you full credit, and in this 
view, I have always considered you as standing on 
higher ground than Paracelsus, who was born in 
1403. 



LETTERS OF DR. WATERHOUSE. 1 ( .> 

As to the point of your originality \ I will Bum it 

up in as few words as I possibly can — I regard you 
as the Tree, the root and trunk, of the Lobelia 
and vapor bath system conjoined: its limbs your 
immediate agents, and its leaves and fruit, the pur- 
chasers of its rights and privileges — all deriving 
their value from the Tree of Knowledge, and hav- 
ing said this, I have performed a greatful office, 
and I may add, duty, to all around me, and re- 
main, and hope ever to remain, 

Your steady friend, 

Benjamin WateRhouse. 

No. III. 

Dr. Thomson was indicted before Chief Justice 
Parsons, for poisoning with Lobelia, but the charge 
was of so frivolous a character that he was dis- 
charged without being put upon his defence. Here 
the affair should have rested ; but Judge Parsons, 
to gratify a malicious disposition, made out a gar- 
bled report of the case, calculated to injure Dr. 
Thomson, and reflect discredit upon his system ; 
and this report has now grown into a precedent, 
and is cited by the old faculty to prove that Thom- 
son's remedies are pernicious. It was not known 
for many years that Parsons was the author of this 
report — no one suspecting him of such an act of 
baseness — but it was ultimately discovered by Col. 
House, who addressed a letter to Mr. Tvnsj on 



20 LETTERS OF DR. WATERHOUSE. 

the subject, and received the following answer, 
which is now in the possession of Dr. Waterhouse. 

Cambridge, Dec. 11th, 1835. 
Dear Sir : — I have found the letter to Col. 
House. This is a copy of it, viz : 

Newberryport, Oct. 17th, 1825.. 
Sir: — Yours of yesterday came to hand by this 
morning's mail. In answer to your inquiry I have 
to inform you that the late Chief Justice Parsons 
compiled the report of the case of the Commonwealth 
vs. Thomson, and handed it to me precisely in the 
words published, soon after the term of the court 
at which the case was tried. 

Your obedient servant, 

Dudley A. Tyng. 
E. G. House, Esq., Boston. 

The original is at your service whenever you 
shall find it needful. Were the case mine (as much 
as I lament this law suit) I should insist on your 
adverse lawyer to define quackery — call on him to 
explain etymologically the derivation and origin 
of the word — insist on his drawing the line where 
quackery ends, and proud science begins. Let 
your attorney tell his opponent that if Samuel 
Thomson was a quack, Hippocrates and all the 
Greek physicians were quacks, and all the Jewish 
ones also ; and every Roman physician, not only 
through the entire Roman republic, but down 



LETTERS OF I)K. WATEKHOUSE. 21 

through all the Roman emperors, and all the first 

- of Christianity, and down through all the 
dark ages, and till long after the revival of letters 
in Italy. Prior to 1400 there were no regular 
schools o( anatomy, and the science of chemistry 
was unknown, until the Arabians brought the 
medicinal chemistry into use. The art and prac- 
tice of physic was the result of experience, and 
was a collection of facts delivered verbally from 
lather to son, and from tutor to pupil. 

Anterior to 1745, the study and practice of 
physic was very little variant, if any, from what 
Samuel Thomson, the patriarch of the lobelia and 
steam system, has by great pains and labor accu- 
mulated during more than forty years of an indus- 
trious life. The most solid, immovable, and valu- 
able portion of our art, is derived from experience ; 
and the best qualification of it is sagacity, and the 
next to that is industry — all of which the patriarch, 
Samuel Thomson, possesses eminently. The sci- 
entific physician follows, and copies the rules of 
others, and that constitutes the learned physician ; 
but Samuel Thomson studies the Book of Nature — 
that is, the nature of man, and everything about 
him, as did the famous physicians among the an- 
cients, and some of the best and most successful 
among the moderns. 

Samuel Thomson restricts his means of cure to 
the vegetable kingdom, and rejects entirely the 



22 LETTERS OF DK. WATERHOUSE. 

mineral one, all except water. I will not dispute 
with him. Let him stick to his system, and let 
us regulars profit by it, and in return it would 
enlarge his own useful knowledge. I confess I 
have learned several valuable tilings from his 
many experiments, and his severe scrutiny into 
the nature, qualities, and medicinal virtues of our 
native plants. 

I rank Samuel Thomson among discoverers, and 
respect him as such. He is not an im'poster. He 
has an uncommon stock of natural knowledge, and 
enjoys the benefit of his discoveries and trials by 
the security of a patent. The vast West has been 
benefitted by them, and they have been, in some 
degree, tributaries to him. I who introduced 
vaccination into America, in 1799, distributed the 
blessings of it everywhere in this new w 7 orld, dis- 
closed everything and kept nothing back ; but 
sacrificed my practice, and even my medical pro- 
fessorship, to that great discovery by which one of 
the greatest plagues that ever afflicted human na- 
ture, has been drawn from the condition of man. 
I never disputed, except in one instance, with any 
man or body of men, but gave to the public all my 
[tains and labors. I beat the bush, but never laid 
myself out to catch the bird. I have the honor, 
others the profit — while others are unhappy in dis- 
putes and unprofitable contentions, I do not repent 
of my forbearance. 



LETTERS OF 1>K. WATERHOUSE. '2'.\ 

In one thing every thinking man must and will 
agree : for it admits of no dispute. It will be ad- 
mitted as an axiom, namely — Thomson's practice 
has been diffused through New England between 
fifteen and twenty years, and still maintains its 
credit ; and every year its root strikes deeper, and 
its branches spread wider and wider. Now make 
any man of due reflection believe that such a 
practice could have spread so wide among such a 
discerning, inquisitive people as we of New Eng- 
land certainly are, without having discovered its 
nothingness, — its worse than nothingness — its 
vain and nonsensical pretentions. The thing is 
impossible. If the lobelia had been proved a 
worthless plant, it would have been years ago 
" thrown like a loathsome weed away." On the 
contrary. I had rather be without that very nau- 
seous powder, ipecac, which makes me spit while 
I writ*>, than to be deprived of the more agreeable 
and efficacious lobelia. 

We import ipecacuanha from South America, 
and sometimes use it after it has been a dozen or 
twenty years out of the ground, whereas we can 
cultivate the lobelia in our own gardens, and pick 
it up in our own fields. I not only prescribe it to 
others, but take it myself, whenever I have any 
occasion for an emetic. I value it equally with 
the Peruvian bark, or with rheubarb, jalap or 
.senna, or any other medicinal plant you can men- 



24 LETTERS OJ-" DR. WATERHOUSE. 

tion. Instead of lobelia, it ought in justice, in honor 
and in gratitude, to be called Tomsonia cmetica. 

But the discovery of the medicinal qualities of 
this indigenous plant, is not the sole merit or felici- 
ty of Samuel Thomson. His vapor bath process, 
to which the lobelia is the prodromos (or in plain 
English, file-leader, or fore-runner), is taken to- 
gether, a very valuable improvement in our prac- 
tice, if conducted by persons as experienced and 
as sagacious as the patriarch Thomson. 

In England, Parliament would probably have 
purchased the procedure by a liberal grant. In 
France, at least under the old regime, the king 
would have bought it. But we, wiser than any 
of them, have only tried to pick it to pieces. Still 
I consider it a valuable anchor, the emblem of 
Hope, to which is attached a firm cable, that num- 
bers have been trying in vain to pick to oakam ; 
but which will, I trust, be like the strongly twist- 
ed cord that binds our happy states together, ac- 
quiring strength by age. 

To weigh patriarch Thomson in the scales of the 
regular physician would be as unjust as for them 
to be weighed by his steelyards. They practice 
on different principles, feelings and views — each 
honest in his respective path of art and nature. 
They both will come out in the same road at last, 
and travel on together to the temple of honor and 
profit. 



LETTEKS OF DK. WETERHOUSE. '!•) 

Samuel Thomson, like most reformers, has 
endured in our county of Essex as much severe 
persecution as ever was perpetrated in it; which 
is saying a great deal, when we call to mind the 
days of the delusion of witchcraft. Though capi- 
tally indicted for murder by using lobelia, he was 
discharged without a trial, after something like a 
reprimand of a solicitor-general by the Court. Yet 
it is remarkable that Chief Justice Parsons deemed 
it worth while to write the report of it in the 
fourth Vol. of Tyng's Collections. 

I feel diffident and doubtful whether I have said 
too much or too little on a subject that will increase 
in importance with time. Eeformers — originators 
and exterminators of loathsome and shocking dis- 
eases, are always considered benefactors of the 
whole human race — not merely those who are now 
living, but of those who shall live after us, as long 
as letters and other records shall endure. 

Benjamin Waterhouse. 

To Samuel Thomson, Boston. 

No. IV. 

[Letter to S. L. Mitchell, M. D., L. L. D., of the city of New York.] 

Cambridge, Dec. 19th, 1825. 

Dear Sir : — Dr. Samuel Thomson, who has the 

honor of introducing the valuable Lobelia into 

use, and fully proved its efficacy and safety, will 

deliver you this. He has cured and relieved many 



20 LETTERS OF DR. WATERHOUSE. 

disorders which others could not, without being a 
regular diplomatized physician, and dared to be a 
republican in a hot-bed of federalism ; for which 
he has been shamefully ill-treated, even to perse- 
cution. 

I have aided and assisted Thomson from a firm 
belief that his novel practice has been beneficial 
to numbers, and that it may be placed among im- 
provements. If he be a quack, he is a quack sui 
generis, for he proclaims his mode and means. 
Had John Hunter, whom I well knew, been born 
and bred where Samuel Thomson was, he would 
have been just such another man ; and had Samuel 
Thomson been thrown into the same society and 
associations as John Hunter, he would, in my 
opinion, have been his equal, with probably a wider 
range of thought; both are men of talents and 
originality of thought. 

I am, indeed, so disgusted with learned quackery, 
that I take some interest in honest, humane and 
strong-minded empiricism ; for it has done more 
for our art, in all ages and in all countries, than 
all the universities since the time of Charlemagne. 
Where, for goodness sake, did Hippocrates study ? 
air, earth, and water ; man, and his kindred, veg- 
etable ; disease and death, and all causalties and 
concomitants of humanity, were the pages he 
studied ; every thing that surrounds and nourishes 
us, were the objects of his attention and study. 



LETTERS OF DR. WATERHOUSE. -7 

In a word, (like Thomson), he read diligently and 
sagaciously the great Book of Nature, instead of 
the little books of man. 

How came your legislature to pass so unconsti- 
tutional an act as that called the anti-quack law ? 
such as the Parliament of England would hardly 
have ventured on ; for who will define quackery ? 
Were I sufficiently acquainted with your excellent 
Governor Clinton, I would write to him on the sub- 
ject. You Xew Yorkers are half a century be- 
hind us in theological science, but your quack bill 
looks as if you halted also in physic. 

By what I have seen and learned of Mr. Thom- 
son, I wish him success, and the notice of the emi- 
nent and the liberal in the profession ; and with 
these views I give him this rapidly written letter 
to you, and am with a high degree of esteem and 
respect his steady friend, 

Benjamin Waterhouse. 

Xo. V. 

To the Editor of the Boston Courier: — I read 
in one of your late papers an article entitled, "The 
Battle of Doctors," purporting to have been con- 
tested at Baltimore, on Lyceum ground. The ac- 
count seemed chiefly serious, but partly ludicrous. 
But as it related to the very serious subject of 
health and disease, or in other words life and death, 



28 LETTERS OF DR. WATEBHOUSE. 

I could not drive the narrative out of my mind. 
The practice of physic, I am bold to say, admits 
of great reform; yet it is no joke, and is really a 
subject worthy the utmost attention of the people, 
and I have often reflected with surprise that it has 
been left at such loose ends in this State, where we 
scrutinize and fine fault with everything, and every 
profession, except that on which our comfort de- 
pends ; for what are riches without health to enjoy 
them ? 

It seems the Lyceum question was whether the 
Thomsonian practice ought to be encouraged ? 
Now this includes another question, viz : whether 
regular physicians ought to encourage it, or the 
people ? If I mistake not, more than a million of 
people in the United States have already answered 
the question and said — let it be encouraged. 

There arose a serious question in my mind — a 
question of honor and conscience, namely : ought 
I to be silent on the solemn subject, or to give my 
opinion. I have determined on the latter; and 
that because I have received a considerable num- 
ber of letters from Maryland, and further south, 
on the same subject; and as I have received some 
loaded with postage, the writers may receive the 
trifling value of my opinion without acent expense 
to them or me. 

With due submission to that privileged body of 
physicians denominated through courtesy, the fac- 



LETTERS OF DR. WATER1IOUSE. 29 

ulty, I should place Samuel Thomson among the 
reformers of the healing art. 

The famous Galen dictated the laws of medicine 
full fourteen hundred years after his death, by his 
then matchless writings. After the revival of let- 
ters, Paracelsus, who was born in 1493, in Switzer- 
land, appeared as a reformer of the system of Galen. 
He was learned in Latin, Greek, and several other 
languages, and of respectable connections. He 
first introduced mercury (quicksilver), antimony 
and opium into the materia medica ; but he was 
arrogant, vain and profligate, and after living the 
life of a vagabond, died a confirmed sot. He stud- 
ied mystery, and wrapped up his knowledge in 
terms of his own invention, so as to keep his 
knowledge confined to himself and a few chosen 
followers. The very reverse of Thomson, who 
performs numberless cures, and makes no secret 
of the means. The cant pharse of "quack" be- 
longs to the learned Paracelsus ; but not to the mys- 
tery-hating Thomson, who considers mystery and 
roguery offsprings of the same father — the man of 
sin — the old father of lies and deception. If 
Thomson be a quack, he is a quack sui generis or a 
cheat of a new and singular class. 

Benjamin Waterhouse. 



;>,() LETTERS OF DR. WATERHOU8E. 

Xo. VI. 

Cambridge, March 26th, 1830. 
To Samuel Thomson, Botanic Practitioner of 

Medicine. 

Bear Sir : — In answer to your last letter, I 
would remark that I continue to receive from di- 
vers quarters of our country anxious inquiries 
with regard to my opinion of you and your prac- 
tice ; to which I have uniformly said that as far 
as I know you were the first person who discover- 
ed the remarkable medicinal virtues of the Lobilia 
Inflata, even before you knew its systematic name, 
and called it simply the emetic weed ; and that in 
consequence of the evidences adduced of its value 
as a medicine, you obtained a patent for it when 
the Hon. John Quincy Adams was Secretary of 
State, in which you were aided by the late Dr. 
Mitchell and Dr. Thornton. Since then you have 
spread its value through a great part .of the United 
States, and in a great degree silenced your oppo- 
nents. 

I have little hesitation in saying that I consider 
your joining to its exhibition the vapor bath as a 
matter of no small importance, when carefully con- 
ducted by persons of sound judgment and compe- 
tent experience. I have entire confidence in the 
safety of the lobelia, and in the whole process, when 
conducted by the patriarch of the science, Samuel 



LETTERS OF DR. VVATERHOUSE. •'!! 

Thomson himself; for the practice is so far from 
l>eing a trilling one, that I consider it in the class 

of Herculean remedies. 

I wish the regular physician had a better opin- 
ion of your discoveries in the vegetable kingdom, 
and that the empiric practioners had a better 
opinion of the regular or scientific physician. The 
conduct of Hippocrates is a bright example for 
both. Experience must be enlightened by reason 
and theory built upon close and accurate observa- 
tion. The happy union of the two will form the 
consummate physician ; while the desire of gain, 
and the ambition of celebrity, may injure both, 
you, my benevolent sir, have lived long enough in 
the world to be convinced how slowly beneficial 
discoveries are received and patronized by the 
people, when they think that fame and fortune are 
the predominant motives of the discoverer. 

Should it happen that in your business at Wash- 
ington this letter should fall under the eye of that 
great and good man, the Hon. John Quincy 
Adams, he will at once recognize the hancl-w T riting 
of his old friend and correspondent, 

Benjamin Waterhouse. 



PRINCIPLES OF MEDICINE. 



I. "Matter, in all its diversity of character, 
quality, form and combination, may be classed in 
two great divisions, namely : Organic and Inor- 
ganic Matter" 

II. "Organic matter includes the two vast king- 
doms of nature ; the animal and the vegetable 
kingdoms." 

III. "Inorganic matter includes all bodies not 
possessed of life, and which are not endowed with 
a capacity for life." 

IV. "Without organization there cannot be life ; 
and again, organized bodies, though possessed of 
a capacity for life, require-the impression of 'stim- 
ulants to call it into activity.' " 

"Life is the consequence of the operation of 
stimuli, or excitants, on organized matter." — 
Brown. 

"Life is the organism in motion." — Bichrand. 

"A proper organization, and suitable tempera- 
ture produce life and motion. Caloric, or Heat, 
is the cause of life and motion." — Thompson. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 33 

"Caloric, whatever be its nature, is the first 

and most important of all stimulants; and it' it 
- s to animate the economy, others lose their 
influence over it." — Broussais. 

••There is in an egg, a point of organized mat- 
tor — a germ endowed with a capacity for life. 
Place the egg in a temperature of 98 degrees of 
heat, and vital movements will commence in the 
elements composing the germ. Under the stimu- 
lating power of heat, the germ is nourished, organs 
developed, and a perfect animal formed. If the 
egg becomes chilled, vital movement ceases, disor- 
ganization and decomposition ensue. The genera- 
tion of heat within the body is as necessary to vital 
action in man, as external heat is necessary to 
sustain vitality in the chick before it bursts from 
the shell. 

V. "It is by the animating power of heat that 
the system becomes susceptable to the impression 
of other life-supporting agents; as air, light, elec- 
tricity, galvanism, food, drinks, and medicine. 

VI. "If the system be deprived of caloric for a 
certain length of time, all the preservative, recu- 
perative and sanative phenomena cease. It is the 
same also as respects oxygen." — Broussais. 

VII. " Caloric (heat) brings into play the nerve 
power, (assumed to be an electro-galvanic influ- 
ence), which, operating through the medium of 
the nervous apparatus, carries on and governs all 



:;| THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

the vital functions — respiration, circulation, diges- 
tion, nutrition, assimilation, &c; selects and expels 
effete, or worn out matter, by the pores of the 
skin, the kidneys, and other depuratory organs; 
carries on all the various secretions; endows the 
organs with sensation, and enables the organiza- 
tion to resist the influence of causes that tend to 
its destruction. It is through. the agency of vital 
energy, inseparably connected with the function 
of calorification, that the causes of disease are re- 
sisted, and health restored when the system is in- 
vaded with disease. This is universally true, under 
all circumstances, in relation to general disease." 

VIII. "The mutual action between the elements 
of the food and the oxygen conveyed by the circu- 
lation of the blood to every part of the body, is 
the source af animal heat" — Liebig. 

IX. "The law of organic life is fixed; it cannot 
be changed; but the forces that bring this law 
into activity, heat, electricity, and magnetism, are 
never fixed, but are constantly subject to disturb- 
ances from perturbating influences."' 

X. "The laws of life always operate in the full- 
est degree of perfection, under the attending cir- 
cumstances. To operate in their greatest degree 
of perfection, or in other words, to maintain a 
state of perfect health, it is requisite that all the 
forces that influence the operation of the laws of 
life, should be in the most favorable condition." 






THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. .">•> 

XI. "A deficiency in the supply of either ali- 
ment, atmospheric air, or heat and its associated 
elements, light, electricity, and magnetism, ren- 
ders the operation of the laws of life imperfect, and 

necessarily occasions disease." 

XII. "Nutrition, the process by which nutritive 
material is converted into living organic structure. 
is the first vital action, and constitutes, during 
life, the basis of every other vital movement, or 
function. Disarrangement of the nutritive action 
of an organ, necessarily impairs its functions. 

'The various functions, digestion, respiration, 
and circulation subserve the purpose of furnish- 
ing the necessary supply of nutritive materials; 
and calorification and enervation are the sources 
of motion." — See Comfort's Practice. 

"When Moses went to his brethren in Egypt, 
and entreated them not to do wrong one to anoth- 
er, the reply was : 'Who made thee a ruler and a 
judge over us?' When the Saviour of men offer- 
ed up His life for the redemption of the world 
from the evils of sin, the cry of those who ought 
to have been most grateful, was, 'Crucify Him .' 
Crucify Him!' Hence we see that all new discov- 
eries, or projects, meet with opposition; and that 
as a general rule, the more benevolent the project, 
the more rancorous the enmity against its propos- 
ers. Opposition to a proposition for the consider- 
ation of the community, is, therefore, no proof 



36 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

that it is unworthy of attention." The present id 
an age of useful and important discoveries. Phi- 
losophers and philanthropists examine and scruti- 
nize not only things that are new, but they are 
revising, correcting, and in many respects over- 
throwing those principles of human faith and ac- 
tion which have received the sanction of ages. 
The very principles on which education has been 
conducted ever since the world began, are now 
said, and with good reason, to be radically wrong. 
The very foundations of society are examined and 
improved. 

Shall medicine, confessedly the least entitled of 
all studies to the honorable appellation of science, 
escape this general scrutiny ? Let us briefly ex- 
amine its claims to exemption, and offer some rea- 
son why every one should be encouraged in their 
efforts to discover and correct its errors." 

What is medicine? Answer. "The object of 
medical science," say Gregory, Bigelow, Hays, 
Hooper, &c, "is to teach the art of preventing and 
curing disease." Does that which is taught in 
the schools, as medical science, accomplish this ? 
Let its most learned and devoted cultivators an- 
swer. 



THEORIES OF MEDICINE. 



We will not go far back. The learned Bcer- 
have, in Germany, during the first thirty years of 
the eighteenth century, collected all the informa- 
tion on medicine that had been elicited previous 
to his day; but after mature consideration of it, 
he concluded that all worth remembering was, 
'"Keep the feet warm, the head cool, the body 
open, and reject all physicians." Medicine has 
been cultivated in that country ever since, by the 
most powerful talents and devoted industry, till 
the last proposition is tint of Hannemann, to give 
the ten millionth part of a grain of poison, in- 
d of two hundred and fifty grains, as practiced 
in the United States. This is considered a real 
improvement on the fashionable mineral practice, 
as no one can deny that if we must take poison for 
medicine, the less w r e have of it the better. 

Dr. Brown, who studied under the famous Dr. 
William Cullen, of Edinburgh, lived in his family 
and lectured on his system, (a system that has 
had as many advocates and practitioners as any 
other of modern times), states that these theories 
are destitute of the "light of truth," and that the 



38 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

"time thus spent is totally lost." Dr. Abercrom- 
bie calls them "the art of conjecturing." Dr. 
Whiting says "they are, and always were, false." 
Dr. Graham says "they prove the bane of the 
healing art." Drs. Gregory and Thather say 
''they have all proven unsatisfactory." Dr. Bige- 
low says "they are still an ineffectual speculation. '' 
Dr. Rush says "those physicians become the most 
eminent, who soonest emancipate themselves from 
their tyranny." Dr. Chapman calls them "ab- 
surdity, contradiction, and falsehood," and says 
that attempts to follow them "resemble the blind 
gropings of Homer's Cyclops round his cave." 
Rush, still more bold, honest, and candid, says, 
"dissections daily convince us of our ignorance of 
the seats of disease, and cause us to blush at our 
prescriptions." "What mischief have we done 
under the belief of false facts, and false theories! 
We have assisted in multiplying disease; we have 
done more — we have increased their mortality." 
Bob., Page 109. Mackintosh gives practical 
j) roofs of this, in his account of surgical operations. 
A writer of high eminence, (Morgagni), has even 
hazarded the assertion that "those persons are 
most confident in regard to the character of dis- 
ease, whose knowledge is most limited, and that 
more extended observation generally leads to 
doubt." — Intell. Pow, Pages 294-5. 

Remarks. — The numerous systems of medicine 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ^ !) 



* — if systems they may be ealled — that exist at the 
present day, and the constant changes that are 
taking place, almost daily, amongst practical phy- 
sicians of high intellectual power, and scientific 
attainments, from one system to another, until 
many of them are led to reject all systems, or 
frame a new one as chimerical and absurd as those 
they have rejected, all give evidence that the old 
system of medicine is destitute of settled principles. 
The tenacity with which some men adhere to 
early received and favorite opinions, in despite of 
evidence, strong, clear, and lucid, demonstrating 
their inconsistency in theory, and dangerous tend- 
ency when reduced to practice, is truly astonish- 
ing; and every effort that may be made to show 
the fallacy of those doctrines, is met with the 
most uncompromising hostility and opposition. If 
physicians are to be considered the guardians of 
the public — and to a certain extent they undoubted- 
ly are — is it not their duty to examine with can- 
dor and impartiality any and every thing that 
comes recommended by any respectable authority, 
n improvement in the healing art? It seems 
that the duty they owe to themselves as men, the 
duty they owe to those who employ them as phy- 
sicians, the duty they owe to the community who 
look to them for aid in the trying hour of affliction 
and distress ; all, all should urge them to give the 
subject a thorough and impartial investigation, 



KJ THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

and adopt that practice most in accordance with 

reason, experience, and common sense; and those 
remedies which are most safe, and whose action 
on the animal economy is most in accordance with 
the principles of vitality and laws of life ; and re- 
ject all of an opposite character and tendency. 
The proper office of medicine is to aid nature in 
her healing process ; for no medication is able to 
construct one essential fibre in the human frame, 
or kindle again the flame of life in an inanimate 
body. By these facts we are taught never to con- 
sider any thing as medicine which does not act in 
harmony w T ith vital principles. 

In the vegetable kingdom alone we find medi- 
cines that harmonize with the vital power ; hence 
we call all our remedies from the botanic world. 
"Here we find remedies which relax the constrict- 
ed organs, constrict the relaxed, stimulate the 
sluggish, sooth the irritated, and furnish material 
from which the system a;athers strength and builds 
again the ruins of its wasted organs." Here we 
find a balm for every ill. Here we have a theory 
at once plain and artless — for truth is ever robed 
in the garb of simplicity. "Our theory,' 1 says 
Hatchett, "is not the offspring of speculative phi- 
losophy, but it is the child of never-erring nature ; 
that power which made the universe has written 
it on all his works. Our 'practice is composed of 
articles obtained, not from the crucible of the" 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 11 

chemist, nor from the secret recesses and deep 
caverns beneath the ground; but they arc prepar- 
ed by the great apothecary of Nature." "We 
spring from the earth, we feed upon her bounty, 
draw our nourishment from her bosom, and our 
medicines from her breast." 

"Moreover in our common exodus from the old 
Egypt of mercurial practice, however different the 
modes by which we make our escape, or continue 
our journey, they all converge and terminate in 
that Palestine of medicine — a system of practice 
which preserves the vital energies, which neither 
debilitates nor poisons; which aims at prevention 
rather than cure, and which never, in curing one 
disease, leaves another in its place; nor leaves a 
constitution impaired by the heroic agencies em- 
ployed." We are in favor of preserving health 
when we have it, and for directly restoring it 
whenever we have lost it. "Violence has no part 
in our medication — poisons have no place in our 
materia medica." We have visited the abodes of 
suffering humanity, and we there learn that the 
people are alarmed and discouraged by the ill- 
success of their physicians, and ardently desire 
reform, are there not reformers enough whose 
talents, acquirements, and deportment are such as 
people would sooner trust when sick ; or defend 
them when abused? Let them take courage and 
break loose from their bondage. 

o 



12 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

You had far better trust to nature to do the 
work for you, than to employ those means which 
would discord her most perfect harmony. We 
find many who after having suffered for years un- 
told and indescribable miseries, under drug medi- 
cation, get much better after having discarded the 
use of them altogether. Others, by the use of 
lobelia, pepper, and an old-fashioned corn-sweat, 
have been thoroughly convinced of their efficacy, 
and feel that they have need of nothing more. 
In this way the work of reformation is gaining 
ground; and the previous work of the old system, 
tends to its propagation. We can but congratu- 
late ourselves in having been so fortunate as to be 
rescued from the prejudice of the medical science 
as it stands in the old system of practice, and the 
consequent abuse that is incurred by a great por- 
tion of our people. We plainly see that the spell- 
bound condition of many people calls for "line 
upon line and precept upon precept;" and a con- 
tinuance of our zeal and exterminating agencies, 
against the various systems of error now in prac- 
tice in a medical point of view. 

Are not too many intelligent, and in many re- 
spects, enlightened, persons looking too much to a 
display of science in treating disease, and not 
enough to the integrity and true, upright purpose 
of heart to do good and benefit suffering. 

Science has its place in the medical world, and 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 13 

its uses: a thorough knowledge of the human sys- 

tern: its nature and laws, and the interruptions of 
the same; and a knowledge of proper remedies for 
ration when diseased, are indispensable to 
the correct treatment of disease. Let us keep in 
view our responsibility and humbly receive the 
instructions of our own hearts. Sympathy for the 
Buffering will ever prompt our energies in behalf 
of their relief. 

Many will testify, that the tenderness and un- 
tiring efforts of a good nurse, has clone more for 
them than the long continued visits of a regular 
physician; and we believe it has been truly said, 
"that our grandmothers are carrying more knowl- 
edge out of the world, by their deaths, than many 
of the medical faculty are bringing into it." Even 
at this late day, the prescriptions of some of our 
physicians are made to exclude every thing that 
might prove strengthening and beneficial to the 
patient;— "-not only failing to sustain and assist 
nature in her work, but conflicting with her laws 
— so that the constitution must be strong indeed 
that can build itself up in defiance of all these dif- 
ficulties. Much of this may be through ignorance ; 
but in some cases we fear it is founded on the basis 
of obstinate motives and a disposition unyielding 
to the "light of truth." We, who have suffered 
that which they are not capacitated to suffer — 
neither given to know, must, under the present 



1! THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

state of medical monarchy, withhold from the de- 
luded sufferer all that would have the most proba- 
ble tendency to alleviate their distress and rid 
them of disease. 

This state of things cannot long exist; the 
destruction of it, and the propagation of truth in 
this science, must, and will be brought about by a 
thorough medical reform. 

"Truth crushed to earth, must rise again, 

The eternal years of God are hei's; 
Whilst error writhes and dies in pain 

Amidst her ardent worshipers." 

THE UNITY OF DISEASE. 

" We, in common with other botanic physicians, 
believe that the principles of medical science are 
few and easily comprehended by those who are 
willing to be guided by the light of nature and 
reason, in searching for the truth on this subject ; 
and that when these principles are understood, in 
their practical application, the student is qualified 
for his professional duties. That disease is a unit, 
we consider one of our primary principles; and "as 
we understand it," one, that by investigation will 
commend itself to the understanding of all. What 
we understand by the unity of disease, is this : all 
diseases are traceable to a loss of vital energy; 
though they may assume different types, and 
grades of violence, yet they have one common 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 45 

cause. It has been said that cold, or sudden 
changes in the temperature of the atmosphere, are 
the most fruitful sources of the diseases to which 
man is subject; this is no doubt true, yet cold is 
not always, and probably in a majority of cases, 
the predisposing, or primary cause; for nature, so 
long as her vital force is unimpaired, is capable of 
resisting the influence of cold under ordinary cir- 
cumstances. But if the vital force is weakened by 
excesses of any kind, it is less able to resist the 
action of cold, or any morbific agent. All who are 
accustomed to labor, are aware that Ave take cold 
much oftener after the system is wearied by long 
continued exercise, than at any other time. In 
this case, though the loss of vital energy predis- 
poses us to the cold, yet the cold itself is the active 
cause of disease, and as such, must be removed be- 
fore health can be restored. We have said that 
though diseases may assume different forms, they 
are traceable to one common cause ; but as farther 
illustration of what we mean by unity of disease, 
let us suppose, that of three persons, perfectly 
healthy : one has been engaged in public speaking 
until exhausted, another has been laboring in a 
stooping position until the muscles of the back are 
wearied, and the third ha« taken an active cathar- 
tic ; now in all these cases there is a loss of vital 
energy, but greater in some parts of the system 
than others. If these persons are now subjected 



4(; the family physician. 

to a sudden change of temperature from warm to 
cold, one will most likely be seized with bronchitis, 
another with lumbago, and the third with some 
acute disease of the bowels, either diarrhea, dysen- 
tary, or inflamation, probably the latter. By the 
unity of disease, then, we mean that all diseases 
are diseases of debility, either caused by cold, or 
some morbific agent inimical to the laws of life. 
We have been led to make these remarks, from 
the desire existing in the community to know 
something more definite in regard to our princi- 
ples, and not with the expectation of throwing 
any new light upon the subject. Having the most 
perfect confidence in the truth of our principles, 
and believing that the only thing necessary to 
secure the co-operation of those who think and 
reason for themselves, is that they should be pre- 
sented for their consideration, we deem it our duty 
to occasionally give an exposition of our principles. 
We are aware that there are those who are better 
qualified for doing this than ourself ; but truth is 
ever powerful, though it may not be presented in 
the most appropriate style. — J¥ew York T. M. 
Journal. 



GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR ADMINISTER- 
ING A COURSE OF MEDICINE. 



The Vapor Bath. — In cases of seated disease, 
the vapor or hot-air bath should first be adminis- 
tered in commencing to give a course of medicine ; 
but in sudden or acute diseases, the emetic should 
first be resorted to, followed by the injection and 
then the bath. 

The Emetic. — In cases of disease, where the 
patient is weak, and the system relaxed, as in low, 
protracted fevers, long-standing dyspepsia, chronic 
diarrhea, etc., or in any case where the condition 
of the stomach requires active stimulants and as- 
tringents, there can be no better form of emetic 
than teaspoonful doses of the third preparation of 
lobelia, in a very strong tea of either bayberry or 
.-umac ; or taken in bayberry syrup. The dose 
to be repeated as often as may be deemed requisite. 
The third preparation of lobelia, to be employed, 
should be freshly made, or such as has been kept 
well corked. 

Half a teaspoonful of green lobelia powder, add- 
ed to each dose of the third preparation, will in- 
sure a more effectual operation. 



4* THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

As a substitute for the third preparation, mix 
two teaspoonfulsofNo. 6 with a teaspoonful of green 
lobelia powder, and half a teaspoonful of nerve 
powder. 

The Injection. — In some cases it is better that 
an injection be administered in the commencement 
of the course, before the vapor bath, and another 
after the operation of the emetic. 

The kinds of cases where this course is more 
particularly needed, are such as are attended with 
a determination of blood to the head, and coldness 
of the feet ; for instance, in erysipelas on the head 
or face ; severe neuralgia of the head or face ; vio- 
lent pain in the head, from any cause; apoplexy, 
stupor, etc. 

A very common form for injections is half a pint 
of composition tea, adding a teaspoonful of nerve 
powder to the tea whilst hot, and when lukewarm, 
a teaspoonful of lobelia powder and as much No. 6. 
This answers for common cases. Where there is 
canker in the bowels, and in case of dysentary, 
cholera morbus, etc., the bayberry or No. 3 tea 
should be used, adding the liquid of the third 
preparation of lobelia, or two or three teaspoon- 
iuls of No. 6, and a teaspoonful of green lobelia. 

If the bowels be much disordered, injections 
will in general occasion more or less pain and 
distress for a short time; the patient, nevertheless, 
experiences much relief from the operation ; the 



THE KAMI L V PHYSICIAN. V.) 

injection containing lobelia, if retained in th- 1 
bowels, will often cause sickness at the stomach 
and vomiting, and effectually relax the system. Re- 
cent attacks of disease have in many instances 
been broken up by such an operation. As a gen- 
eral rule, patients experience the most benefit from, 
injections that occasion the most distress and pain. 
Lobelia possesses a property of arousing the 
sensibility of the stomach and bowels, so that if 
they are diseased, it causes the patient to feel the 
disease. 

The Second Bath. — The proper time for ad- 
ministering the last bath' in a course of medicine. 
ks a general rule, is, when the patient ceases to 
sweat, or becomes restless alter the operation of the 
emetic. If the patient continue to retch and 
vomit a long time, there is nothing so effectual in 
settling the stomach as a steaming. When the 
bath has been continued long enough, the patient 
must be showered or washed with cold water, 
rubbed dry, then bathed with alcohol, whiskey, or 
vinegar, and kept warm. It is beneficial in many 
is to bathe the surface with No. 6, pepper sauce, 
simulating linament, after the last bath, and 
when the patient is rubbed dry. This is more 
■ jially needed where the skin is in a relaxed 
condition, as in chronic rheumatism, bronchitis, 
a-?thma, consumption, etc. Sometimes the skin is 
extremely sensitive to stimulants, and if applied 



50 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

too freely, will occasion a severe burning sensation 
in the skin, which may continue several hours. 

Drinks. — When patients are thirsty during the 
c< iurse ; they should be allowed to drink as much of 
warm teas, or even cold water, as may be desira- 
ble to them. 

From three to six hours is in general required 
for a full course of medicine ; and except in urgent- 
cases, it is better, as before stated, to allow the 
emetic to remain on the stomach an hour or two, 
or at least avoid forcing the patient to drink largely 
of teas soon after the emetic has been taken. 

A Partial Course of Medicine. — In very 
many instances of disease, a full course of medi- 
cine is not required ; all that is necessary is to re- 
store the natural warmth of the body, by means 
of the hot-air or vapor bath, and then give an 
emetic; dispensing with the injection and second 
bath. 

Emetics Without Steaming. — In sudden and 
violent attacks of disease, as in croup, fits, colic, 
sick-headache, cholera morbus, and in fine, all 
sudden attacks of disease, emetics may be given 
without the previous administration of a bath. 

Hot bricks wrapped in damp cloths, placed 
around the patient, may take, in many cases, the 
place of a vapor bath. Thus, in cases of low fevers, 
as they are termed, it often becomes necessary to 
vomit a patient every day when he is too weak to 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 51 

sit up. In rheumatism, when the patient cannot 
be moved without occasioning severe pain, it may 
bdbetter, especially in cold weather, to give emet- 
ics, without moving the patient from the bed. 

Preparing the Patient for a Course of 
Medicine. — In sudden attacks and in all cases of 
acute disease, a course of medicine may be given 
as before stated, without any preparatory medi- 
cine ; whereas, in chronic complaints, as in com- 
sumption, deep-seated dyspepsia, and in cases 
where the system is in a cold and torpid condition, 
a course of medicine will prove more effectual by 
the patient taking composition several times a 
day, or from twenty to thirty of the No. 3 pills, 
and three or four compound Lobelia pills at night, 
and continuing the use of these medicines several 
days before the course is administered. 

Repeating the Course of Medicine. — In the 
first stages of disease, and more especially if the 
attack be violent, the course of medicine, or at 
-: a partial course, may be repeated daily until 
the symptoms abate. In small-pox, measels, and 
Bcarlet fever, the disease will run its course, and 
all that we can anticipate from the operation of 
medicine in those cases, is to relieve the symptoms, 
and aid the constitution to work off the disease in 
the way which nature or the God of nature has 
Wished. In chronic complaints, as in long- 
standing dyspepsia, consumption, chronic, gout, 



52 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

and rheumatism, and whenever there is an absence 

of fever, a course of medicine will seldom become 
necessary oftener than once in two or three weeks. 
In fine, there are many cases of seated disease in 
which more reliance is to be placed upon fresh air, 
a change of residence, traveling, sea-bathing and 
a strict attention to diet and regimen, than upon 
medicine. 

Emetics for Children and Infants. — A tea- 
spoonful of green lobelia powder, and a teaspoon - 
j'ul of brown sugar, wet with composition tea, and 
rubbed with a spoon, to soften the lobelia powder, 
and then adding from half a gill to a gill of bay- 
berry tea or composition tea, will form a suitable 
emectic for children. 

A child that will swallow pills may be effectual- 
Iv vomited bv takin 2; from six to ten of the com- 
pound lobelia pills, fresh made, as bv any other 
form of emetic. 

For Infants, half a teaspoonful of green lobelia 
powder, prepared as above directed, will generally 
prove sufficient for evacuating the stomach. Or 
from half a teaspoonful of the syrup or tincture of 
lobelia, mixed with a tablespoonful of bayberry 
tea, sweetened. 

No fears need be entertained of giving too much 
lobelia, even to infants; although it may cause 
distress for a time, the result from the operation 
will prove beneficial. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ')'■) 

The hot-air or .-team bath may bo administered 
to children in the same way as for grown persons, 
by placing the child in a small chair, and placing 
this upon the seat of such a chair as is used for 
administering the bath to adults. 

Remarks Concerning Various Symptoms that 

Attend the Operation of a Course 

of Medicine. 

Some persons have declared that they never felt 
better than when going through a course of medi- 
cine, excepting during the sickness and vom- 
iting : and then again, under a different condition 
of the system, patients will experience severe pain 
and distress. The tendency of the course of medi- 
cine is to awaken sensibility, and to excite the 
efforts of nature to action to overcome obstruction, 
cast off morbid matter from the stomach, and to 
restore a natural circulation throughout the sys- 
tem : and hence, the more the system is diseased, 
the more distressed the patient will be when he is 
made to feel his real condition. 

At one time a patient may vomit by merely 
taking a dose of composition tea ; whilst at another, 
when the stomach is in a different condition, half 
a dozen doses of composition will not occasion the 
slightest sickness. A patient with a very foul 
stomach may become sick from taking a dose of 
composition, or of bayberry and pepper, during the 



54 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

first steaming in a course of medicine : and after 
the operation of an emetic, and the stomach 
comes settled, a pint of composition may be taken 
without causing the slightest sickness. It often 
happens, however, that the stomach will not be set- 
tled until after the last bath, the patient vomiting 
freely on having his system warmed by the steam, 
and by taking stimulants ; after which, the stomach 
will not be disturbed by these medicines, even 
though they be taken freely. 

A vapor bath, when administered previously 
to an emetic, or when the emetic has not operated 
effectually, may occasion sickness at the stomach. 
and cause the patient to feel weak and faint for a 
time ; but is often observed to increase the strength 
when the stomach is not foul. I have on many 
-ions obs?rve:l a patient, on taking a 
course of medicine, to be much stronger after the 
last bath, who had felt weak and relaxed from the 
first, in consecpuence of the disordered state of the 
- mach. Patients sometimes become sick and 
feel oppressed soon after they are placed in the 
bath, and feel as though thev cannot sit up. or 
1 lear it any longer ; but by throwing cold water in 
the face, and allowing fresh air to come to the pa- 
rt-, the sickness will in general , pass off in a 
short time ; and when prespiration becomes free, 
the patient will experience no difficulty in sitting in 
the bath the asual time required for the operation. 



:in: FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 00 

When the stomach is cold and contains acid, a 
dose of pepper or composition tea is apt to cause 
pain in the stomach, more especially during the 
hath in a course of medicine. In such cases, 
the pain is relieved when the patient belches wind 
or gas from the stomach. Some No. 6, or tincture 
of ginger, in hot water, taken as hot as the patient 
can bear it, will relieve these unpleasant feelings. 
K->ence of peppermint, lavender, or anything that 
to expel wind from the stomach, may be 
employed. 

Of Peculiar Symptoms, Sometimes Observed 

During the Operation of a Course 

of Medicine. 

Lobelia, especially the brown lobelia (the seed), 
taken in emetic doses, will sometimes, and more 
particularly in persons of nervous temperament, 
and in cases of deeply-seated disease, occasion 
symptoms which have been called alarming symp- 
toms ; whereas the term crisis symptoms would be 
more appropriate ; for it has been universally ob- 
ed that the occurrence of these symptoms is in 
most instances followed by a manifest improvement 
in the condition of the health of the patient; — 
effecting cures where all other means had failed. 
Seemingly, almost miraculous cures have been 
brought about by such operations, in long-stand- 
ing cases of disease, where probably nothing short 



;,<; THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

of placing the system fully under the active influ- 
ence of the hot-air or steam bath, and brown 
lia, would have answered the purpose. 
The following Symptoms will sometimes be ob- 
served during the operation of a course of medi- 
cine, where the brown lobelia powder is employed 
as an emetic, or administered by injection, to-wit: 
soon after the emetic is taken, the patient com- 
plains of pain or distress in the stomach, which 
soon extends to the bowels ; he is continually 
changing his position ; rubs the stomach and 
bowels, and complains very much of distressing 
feelings. The breathing becomes irregular, respi- 
ration being sudden, somewhat like the sobbing of 
a child. The distressing feelings in the bowels 
subside, but the patient remains relaxed, the skin 
sometimes colder than natural, and contracted ; 
the mucous membrane of the nose is dry, inducing 
the patient to pick or rub his nose frequently ; 
the tongue and mouth are dry, attended with more 
or less thirst. The patient makes efforts to get 
out of bed ; frequently feels like having a motion 
from his bowels ; talks in an unconnected manner, 
and sometimes lies completely relaxed, apparently 
too weak to raise his hands, and the countenance 
is pale and contracted. During the continuance 
of the symptoms above described, the stomach and 
bowels appear to be in a state of unusual agitation , 
as though the vital energies were concentrated in 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 



these organs, (generally the scat of disease), and 
carrying on a revolutionary, health-restoring 
action: which, after continuing an indefinite 
period of time, varying irom one to four or six 
hours, and occasionally a still longer period, ireo 
vomiting again ensues, after which the patient goes 
to sleep, and sleeps calmly and naturally ; the skin 
becomes moist and warm, and often profuse pres- 
pi rat ion ensues. On awaking, the patient expresses 
gratification at feeling so well; appeal's uncon- 
scious of having suffered to any extent daring the 
operation ; has probably a good appetite, and after 
taking light, nourishing food; and then having the 
course of medicine completed by the administra- 
tion of a bath, showered with cold water, rubbed 
dry, and bathed with alcohol or vinegar, realizes 
a remarkable improvement in his general feeling. 

Dr. Thomson, in treating upon the subject of the 
operation of lobelia, says, as follows : — 

•' When this medicine (lobelia) is given to pa- 
tients that are in a decline, or are laboring under 
a disease of long standing, the symptoms indicat- 
ing a crisis will not take place until they have 
been carried through from three to eight courses 
of medicine ; and the lower they have been, the 
more alarming will be the symptoms. I have seen 
some who would lie and sob for two hours like a 
child that had been famished ; not able to speak 
or to raise their hand to their head ; and the next 



58 THE FAMILY PHYSIGIAN. 

day be about, and soon get well. In case.i where 
patients have taken considerable opium, and a 
course of medicine is administered, it will, during 
the operation, produce the same appearances and 
symptoms that are produced by opium when first 
given ; the opium having lain dormant, is roused 
into action by the enlivening effects of the course 
of medicine, and they will be thrown into a sense- 
less state ; the whole system will be one complete 
mass of confusion; the patient tumbling in every 
direction, will require two or three persons to hold 
him in bed ; they grow cold, as though dying ; 
remaining in this way from two to eight hours, and 
then awake like one from a sleep, after a good 
night's rest, and become entirely calm and sensi- 
ble, as though nothing had ailed them. It is sel- 
dom that they have more than one of these turns, 
as it is the last struggle of the disease, and they 
generally begin to recover from that time. I have 
been more particular in describing these effects of 
lobelia in particular cases, where disease is deeply 
seated, as they are very alarming to those unac- 
quainted with them, in order to show that there is 
no danger to be apprehended, as it is certain evi- 
dence of a favorable turn of the disease." 

Physicians of this practice are frequently ap- 
plied to in desperate cases, where it is impossible 
to determine whether the disease is curable or not ; 
and notwithstanding the grave charges so fre- 



nil-: FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 59 

quently against this system of practice when it 
fails o( removing disease, still a trial should be 
made, so long as the circumstances of the case fur- 
nish grounds for a reasonable hope of success. 
Courses of medicine are sometimes administered 
with a view only of affording relief to the patient, 
the disease being evidently incurable ; and yet it 
would seem that a portion of the community, and 
some who ought to know better, attribute every 
death that occurs, where this treatment is em- 
ployed, to the treatment, or want of skill in those 
who have charge of the case. Among the great 
mass of desperate cases that come under this treat- 
ment, deaths will, in the very nature of things, oc- 
easionally happen unexpectedly and under unfavor- 
able circumstances. In the early period of my 
practice I was called to attend the wife of Samuel 
Wheeler, of Wilmington, Del., and found Mrs. W., 
as I then thought, in a condition to be benefitted 
by a course of medicine, and had determined to 
have one administered. A dose of composition 
was prepared, but before it was sufficiently cool to 
be taken, she expired. Had I arrived two hours 
earlier than I did, doubtless Mrs. W. would have 
died whilst under the operation of a course of 
medicine; and although the medicine might have 
prolonged the life of the patient a short period, 
still she could not have survived many hours longer 
than she did. as mortification of the bowels had 



60 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

taken place. Courses of medicine doubtless have 
been, and will again be administered to patients 
on the very verge of dissolution ; creating not 
only an unfavorable impression in the neighbor- 
hood where it happens, but a highly-colored and 
distorted account of the case is carried by the 
press to various parts of the country. The gen- 
eral good success, however, attending the practice. 
affords sufficient evidence to establish the belief 
that it is based upon correct principles, and that 
this system furnishes the means which the consti- 
tution requires to overcome disease ; for although 
it does, and must necessarily fail sometimes of 
effecting cures, yet what evidence have we that it 
will not prove successful, when properly applied, 
in all cases that are curable by means of medicine ? 
Most patients experience an unusual degree of 
weakness and general distressed feeling about the 
time a disease is being removed; the patient feel- 
ing discouraged, under the impression that the 
course of medicine, or other treatment, is too hard 
for his constitution. In many cases of deeply- 
seated disease, that I have treated, and a cure has 
been effected, the patients were discouraged about 
the time that the disease was giving away : the 
system being relaxed, attended with loss of appe- 
tite, disgust for medicine, and frequent pain and 
distress in the bowels. — Comfort's Practice. 



THE VAPOR BATH. 



•• Tins form of bathing has been in use for cen- 
turies, among eastern nations and the aborigines 
iur own country. It has long been a luxury 
ami a remedial agent among the Russians, and was 
introduced by them into western Europe at the 
time of the war between Napoleon and Russia. 
Since that time they are being extensively employ- 
ed in those nations, both in the preservation of 
health and in the removal of disease." 

A very frequent cause of disease is a sudden 
collapse of the pores of the surface, produced by 
exposure to sudden change of temperature in a 
person previously predisposed to an attack, by 
fatigue, debility, etc. The balance of circulation 
being thus destroved, the blood charged with mor- 
bine matter, which cannot be eliminated by the 
skin, determines upon some internal tissue or 
organ, causing colds, diarrhea, pleurisy, innama- 
tion of the bowels, lungs, liver, etc., depending in 
severity upon the various causes which modify the 
diseased action. The efforts of the vital power to 
remove the cause, and restore the balance to the 
circulation, produces that condition of the system 



62 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

which we call fever ; thus showing that fever, in- 
stead of being a disease, is only a manifestation of 
vital action, without which death would ensue. 

Combe, in his Physiology, says of vapor baths : 
The vapor bath is calculated to be extensively use- 
ful, both as a preservative and as a remedial agent. 
Many a cold and many a rheumatic attack, arising 
from checked prespiration or a long exposure to 
the weather, might be nipped in the bud by its 
timely use. In chronic affections, not only of the 
skin itself, but of the internal organs with which 
the skin sympathizes most closely, as the stomach 
and intestines, the judicious application of tha 
bath is productive of great relief. 

•■ As a medical agent," says Andria, "the vapor 
bath, by attracting more speedily the blood to the 
surface, and by being followed by more profuse 
prespiration, is more powerful than the warm water 
bath ; it does not exert that pressure upon the sur- 
face, which, in the case of warm water, retards the 
breaking out of prespiration." 

In cases of rheumatic contractions of the joints, 
in scrofulous diseases, especially when they affect 
the skin and glands, in some chronic affections of 
the nervous system and of the respiratory organs, 
such as dry catarrh, asthma, spasms of the mucles 
of respiration, the vapor bath is safer and more ef- 
fectual than the hot water bath. "It is a valuable 
assent in the reduction of fractures and dislocations. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 63 

Pulleys and the strength of several men are some- 
times thought necessary to extend the contracted 
muscles sufficiently to bring the bones into their 
natural positions; while the vapor bath alone, or 
aided by proper internal remedies, would by relax- 
ing the muscular system and rendering it pliable in 
the hands of the operator, entirely supersede this 
barbarous practice, so much at variance with the 
laws of muscular relaxation and contraction." 

I have used it with decided success in different 
forms of disease ; in one case, of inflamation of 
the bowels, this proved beneficial when all other 
appliances had failed. In a severe case of vario- 
loid, in my own family, the vapor bath gave im- 
mediate relief and greatly modified the symptoms. 
It should always be employed in varioloid or small- 
pox, in the first stage of the disease. 

Directions for Administering a Vapor Bath. 
— Various methods are employed in the applica- 
tion of the vapor or steam bath ; the usual plan, 
however, is to place the patient upon a tight bot- 
tomed chair, throwing a quilt over him, leaving 
the head uncovered ; a flat bottomed basin or 
dressing pan is to be placed under the chair a 
quart of hot water poured in, and put into it a red 
hot brick, or stone. If the brick be entirely red 
hot, it should be set in edgewise at first, or the 
steam may be too warm for the patient to bear ; 
in a few minutes the brick may be placed with the 



04 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAX. 

ilat side down. Three, and sometimes two bricks 
will be sufficient, provided they are thoroughly 
<\vv and red hot on one side. If the steam be too 
hot, the quilt may be raised from the floor so as to 
admit the cold air; and when the patient feels 
oppressed with the heat, the face and head must 
be frequently wet with vinegar and water, or 
whiskey j and occasionally the body of the patient 
should be washed or sponged with cold or tepid 
water. During the latter part, or at the close 
of the steaming, a shower bath must be used, or 

CD' 

the patient washed in cold water or spirits. 

The feet may be more effectually steamed, by 
placing a stool on the chair, the patient sitting 
upon the stool and resting the feet on the seat of 
the chair. 

An apparatus for steaming has been introduced 
into use in Philadelphia, which is very simple, and 
equally efficacious as the old method, and is much 
less troublesome to administer. 

Steaming in Bed. — When the patient is too 
weak to sit up, the steam may be applied under 
the bed clothes by placing about the patient hot 
stones or bricks, wrapped in damp cloths. Bricks 
that have been lying in a damp place should not 
be used, as they will not retain the heat. 

Placing the patient on a quilt, and when the 
hot bricks are applied, throwing the sides of the 
quilt over the patient, will confine the heat and 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 65 

v;\\km to the patient, and also protect the bed clothes 
from dampness. 

When the bed clothes have become damp from 
the steam or brick cloths, hot bricks should be 
placed in the bed, wrapped in dry cloths. 

By having two sets of bricks, a regular steam 
and heat may be kept up any length of time. 

Another Way. — Make a frame work of plaster- 
ing lath or narrow strips of boards; place it over the 
patient; throw a quilt over the frame-work and 
introduce the steam under the cover by means of 
a pipe and boiler, or by basins containing a little 
hot water and putting hot bricks in them. The 
patient to be stripped of all clothing whilst steam- 
ing. Or, place together two rows of chairs; put 
on the seats a mattress or quilts ; throw a quilt, or 
blanket on the backs of the chairs to prevent the 
m escaping from the sides, and when the 
patient is put on this bed, spread a quilt across 
the top and close the openings at the head and 
foot. The patient's head to be placed on a pillow 
and remain uncovered. 

Patients who are extremely weak will bear 
steaming in this way from an hour to two hours, 
provided the body is bathed occasionally with 
vinegar and water, or tepid water. 

Warm bricks kept at ths patient's feet during 
the operation of an emetic, will be beneficial. — 
Comfort's Medical Practice. 



66 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

THE HOT-AIR BATH. 

"The hot-air, or alcoholic bath maybe employ- 
ed in all cases in place of the steam or vapor bath, 
as it will effect the same important objects that 
can be attained by the steam bath; and as the 
former requires much less labor, and may be ad- 
ministered more readily than the steam bath, it 
may rather be regarded as an improvement upon 
the usual plan of imparting warmth to the body 
by the steam bath. 

To Administer a Hot- Air Bath. — Fill a tea- 
cup two-thirds full of alcohol; place it in the mid- 
dle of a basin or large bowl; pour cold water into 
the bowl, but not so much as to float the tea-cup, 
and place these upon the floor, under the centre of 
a chair with a solid wooden seat. Upon the seat 
of the chair place a flannel skirt or small blanket, 
allowing it to extend half-way to the floor, or front 
of the chair, to protect the thighs from the heat, 
but not to extend over the sides of the chair. 

The patient takes his seat upon the chair, placing 
his feet upon a stool, or upon the round of the 
chair upon which he sits. First spread a blanket 
over the back of the chair and pin it under the 
patient's chin; then a blanket or quilt to be placed 
in front and pinned at the back of the neck. Now 
raise the blanket a foot from the floor at the back 
of the chair and apply a match or lighter to the 
alcohol. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 67 

Observe always to use woolen materials for 
placing on the chair and covering the patient; as 
cotton might take fire by coming accidently in 
contact with the blaze from the burning alcohol. 
During the operation, the face and head should 
Us wet frequently with cold water, vinegar, or 
alcohol and water; and when the heat becomes 
oppressive, take a sponge or soft towel, filled with 
cold water, and press against the side of the 
patient's neck, pulling the cover from the neck, 
bo that the water will run down over the body. 
If the heat is too high to be borne, lift the blank- 
et a few inches from the floor; and always admit 
fresh air into the room. If the body is dry, the 
surface should be kept moistened with a wet sponge 
or towel, to be wet in warm water. A dose of 
composition tea, with a teaspoonful of No. 6 added, 
should be taken after the patient has been in the 
bath a few minutes. 



DISEASES. 



-o- 



•' FEVER AND ITS TREATMENT. 

"The history of practical medicine," observes 
Prof. Eberle, "consists of little else than a review 
of the doctrines which have successively risen 
and sunk again, concerning the nature and treat- 
ment of fever. Whatever other objects of inter- 
est or importance within the dominion of medical 
science, may have attracted the attention of physi- 
cians, fever has at all times been viewed as pre- 
senting' the most extensive and inviting field for 
observation and the exercise of ingenuity. It is 
in this department that observation and research 
have been most industrious in accumulating mate- 
rials and that hypothesis has luxuriated in her 
wildest exuberance." Again the same writer 
says: "From a retrospective glance over the histo- 
ry of our science, we are forced to acknowledge 
that there is perhaps no subject which is more 
eminently calculated to humble the pride of human 
reason than this one. In relation to this subject, 
Pathology has been in a continued state of revolu- 
tion and instability. The human mind has been 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. ^ 

engaged with it for near three thousand yeans. 
Theories have risen and sunk again in a continued 
and rapid series of successions; each had its hour 

to act upon the stage, and its votaries to yield it 
faith; but the stream of time has hitherto over- 
turned all these unsubstantial, though often high- 
lv wrought, fabrics." "The instability of medical 
t henries in relation to fever, admits of a ready ex- 
planation, which is this: they have all been erron- 
eous." "Medical theorists instead of commencing 
ir reasonings at the starting point, the very 
set of disease, the first change from the healthy 
condition, which is the direct and immediate effect 
of the cause of disease, have based their theories 
upon phenomena presented after reaction or fever 
has become established; and regarding the efforts 
of nature manifested by fever as a condition result- 
ing from vital power, have invariably arrived at 
false conclusions, both in relation to the nature of 
fever and the character of the treatment called 
for. Influenced by false doctrines, medical men 
have sought for agents to reduce the vital powers 
of the system ; when fever prevailed, to effect this 
object they have had recourse to the most deadly 
agents, such as calomel, nitre, antimony, drastic, 
cathartics, etc., which have been employed to such 
an extent that it would not be an easy matter to 
determine which class of agents has been the most 
destructive to life, during the past few centuries, 



70 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

those employed by the physicians, or those used 
on the battle-field. The natural tendency of fever, 
as we have before remarked, is to effect results 
favorable to the preservation of life ; the eradica- 
tion of the causes of disease, and the restoration 
to health. Fever never occurs without the exist- 
ence of a cause, injurious in its tendency upon 
health ; if a poisonous agent is introduced into the 
system, for instance, that which occasions measles, 
the direct effect of this poison is to weaken the 
living powers; the patient becomes chilly; there is 
a loss of digestion, appetite fails, the extremities 
become cold, &c, all of which give evidence of a 
loss of vital power; and cases have occurred, where 
the patient has sunk into a deep stupor and died 
in this stage of the disease, without having had 
any fever; such cases, however, are most rare; for 
the human organization is "endowed with a capaci- 
ty" to establish a process of actions by which the 
poison is thrown out from the blood upon the sur- 
face, and the system thus relieved of the cause of 
the disease. It is by reaction, or fever, that the 
poison is ever removed from the system. It is by 
the same means, (re-action, or fever), that other 
poisons, such as occasion scarlet fever, varioloid, 
small-pox, &c, are driven out of the system. No 
case of small-pox could be cured without a fever 
to throw the poison out upon the surface. Poisons 
do not produce fever; the direct tendency of poi- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. <1 

sonous agents is to destroy life. It is the vital 
principle that establishes fever, for the purpose of 
preserving the organization against the causes of 
disease." 

"A few years since a man of robust constitution, 
residing in West Philadelphia, after several day's 
indisposition, had high fever, accompanied with 
violent pain in the head and back, with great dis- 
Lress at the pit of the stomach. A physician was 
called, who directed eighteen ounces of blood to 
be taken and to be freely purged. In the course 
of three or four days it was discovered that the 
patient had the small-pox; but the powers of the 
system had been reduced too low to bring the 
disease out in a proper manner; the pustules 
never filled, and consequently the patient died. 
The physician who attended the case was a pro- 
fessor in the Jefferson Medical College of this 
city." — Philadelphia T. 21. Journal. 

Although medical men, with few exceptions, 
regard fever as the "destroying angel " yet they 
find the most formidable kinds of disease to be 
those unattended with fever ; for instance, cold 
plague and cholera. The disease which has prov- 
en so fatal at New Orleans and other places, termed 
1 ' yellow fever, ' ' often runs its course to a fatal ter- 
mination without any fever. 

Admitting the truth of the doctrine that nature 
establishes fever as a means of bringing about a 



7l> THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

crisis in disease, it would be reasonable to sup- 
pose that if fever disappears after having been es- 
tablished, without effecting any critical evacuation, 
either from the stomach, bowels, kidneys or skin, 
that it would be an evidence that nature had 
given up the contest with disease ; without hav- 
ing accomplished the object desired; and such is 
the fact. If the eruptive fever which brings out 
the small-pox poison to the surface, were to dis- 
appear and the action of the heart and lungs 
become reduced below the normal standard before 
the eruption begins to appear, then the case would 
be one of an extremely alarming character. A 
patient whose system is charged with the poison 
that produces what is termed scarlet fever, does 
not have the action of the heart and lungs in- 
creased above the normal standard, and fever 
becomes developed ; or if there be an effort at reac- 
tion, and that reaction pass away before the rash 
appears at the surface, the poison will be thrown 
inward upon the mucous membrane, and proba- 
bly upon the brain, and the case terminates fatally 
for the want of an efficient reaction or fever to 
produce a determination to the surface — to throw 
the poison out upon the surface. But are we to 
do nothing to allay the symptoms of fever, or to 
employ means to bring it to a termination ? We 
answer emphatically, yes. And it is upon this 
field, where nature is exerting her powers to con- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 73 

1 with disease, that the Botanic practice has 
proven pre-eminently victorious over any other 
plan of treatment; not only in affording relief 
from suffering, but in shortening the duration of 
r, by assisting nature in her efforts to overcome 
ructions; and in this way proves eminently 
beneficial in effecting a favorable crisis in disease. 

o 

We discover many means by which the animal 
Qomy may become diseased and attended with 
r; but to illustrate the subject we must take but 
a few examples. Cold, or the abstraction of heat 
from the system, collapses the surface, and deter- 
mines the circulation to the internal viscera, pro- 
ducing congestions in some of the most important 
organs in the system, such as the brain, lungs, 
liver, kidneys, etc. This congestion of an organ, 
or organs, produces irritation on the nerves of 
the parts, and they by sympathy, affect corre- 
sponding nerves, and thus produce and increased 
action of the heart and arteries, which we term 
fever. This exalted state of the functions may 
continue for a shorter or longer period of time, 
according to the amount of vital power in the 
system, and the amount of tonicity to be overcome. 
During the paroxysm of fever, the heart labors 
violently to rid itself of the inordinate quantity 
of blood, which is forced into it by the suspension 
of the function of absorption ; the circulation is 
determined to the surface, and the fever becomes 



71 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

general over the whole system. Fever then is the 
effect of an increased action of the heart and 
arteries, and therefore is not disease, but a symp- 
tom or manifestation of disease. It is the senti- 
nel on the confines of the vital economy, which 
gives the alarm of the encroachments of the 
enemy. Fever should not then be regarded as an 
enemy, but as a friendly monitor which comes to 
make known the abnormal condition of the sys- 
tem. This deranged state of the functions may 
continue six, twelve or twenty-four hours ; but, 
when it abates, the surface relaxes, perspiration 
takes place, absorption is partially or wholly re- 
stored, and there is an intermission or an entire 
suspension of febrile action. This constitutes one 
paroxysm of fever, and if the morbid tonicity be 
entirely subdued and the morbific materials thrown 
out of the circulation, the disease is removed; if 
not, the paroxysm will return periodically until 
the vital power is exhausted, and death closes the 
scene. Another way in which fever is often pro- 
duced is by using a diet not easily digested, or 
by taking too great a quantity of wholesome food, 
and long continuing the use of it, or by taking 
poisons into the stomach, as medicine which 
weakens its tone and injures digestion. By di- 
gestion becoming weakened, the nutritious parti- 
cles of food are not sufficiently elaborated, and en- 
ler the circulatory system in too gross a state. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 7"> 

The stomach, by having too much to perform, 
either in digesting food in too groat a quantity, or 

that which is unwholesome in quality, concentrates 
too much of the vital power in it, and destroys 
equilibrium by inviting it from the surface, and 
thereby closing and collapsing the capillaries. 
The worn out matter and foreign material cannot 
pass the constricted capillaries, bat is retained in 
the system, often giving rise to boils, pimples and 
other exanthematons diseases. From the forego- 
ing premises we draw the following conclusions : 
First. — That the health consists in the free and 
uninterrupted exercise of all the organs in the 
system, and that anything, whatsoever it may be, 
that (improperly and permanently) compresses or 
relaxes an organ, or injures or destroys its texture, 
or in any manner unfits it for the discharge of its 
duty, is a cause of disease, whether it be from 
cold externally, or something taken into the ali- 
mentary canal, or by the inhalation of deleterious 
substances into the lungs, (in either case affecting 
the mucous membrane), or whether it be deeper 
seated, as in some of the glandular structures, or 
from external violence, if the system is not destroyed 
at the first attack, the recuperative powers which 
are exerted for the preservation of the vital econo- 
my, show their influence by an increase of action 
in the circulation producing fever. With regard 
then to the principles by which we should be gov- 



7<) THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

erned in the treatment of disease in the botanic 
practice, they are few and easily understood. But 
in perusing standard medical works on the old 
theory and practice, who so blind as not to dis- 
c over the discrepancies and uncertainties that every 
where prevail in regard to medical subjects ? 
That which one medical school or university has 
taught as a correct practice and enjoined upon its 
pupils as the true method of curing disease, is con- 
demned by its successors as worse than useless, 
and altogether inadequate to the fulfillment of the 
indications of the case ; and these plans in turn 
have shared the fate of all those things which 
perish in the using thereof. Thus has this boasted 
science been fluctuating for centuries. It has 
been truly said that the improvements in the sci- 
ence have been in a circle, but not in progression. 
This being the case then with the mineral prac- 
tice of medicine, we must direct our inquiries to 
.-ome other sources if we would attain an object 
so desirable as the knowledge of remedies which, 
when faithfully and judiciously applied, will re- 
move the disease from our bodies without exerting 
any deleterious influence upon them. This object 
can be fully realized by a persevering use of the 
remedies used in the botanic practice. If the 
patient be cold, warm him ; if contracted, relax 
him ; if there be obstructions in the system, clear 
them out, and if debilitated, tone him up. The 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 77 

best medicines and means yet known for this pur- 
. are Cayenne and vegetable concentrated com- 
pounds, with the assistance of the vapor bath, 

which will warm, relax and cleanse the surface. 
Lobelia, with warm herb tea, will clear the 
tnach : the same given by injection will cleanse 
the bowels ; and stimulants, astringents and ton- 
ics, with correct diet and proper exercise will effect 

the cure. 

CONTINUED FEVER. 

" Under this head may be classed all those ma- 
lignant forms of disease denominated typhoid, 
typhus, nervous, putrid, congestive, yellow fever, 
etc." "We hear continually, "observes Dr. Watson, 
of London, "both in and out of the profession, dif- 
ferent species of fever spoken of; by the public, 
typhus, brain fever, billious, low, putrid, nervous ; 
and systematic writers are to the full as particu- 
lar : mucous fever, ataxic, adynamic, gas tro- enteric, 
etc. Now admitting that fever shows itself under 
various forms, I am persuaded that the effect upon 
the mind, of all this sub-division is bad and hurt- 
ful. It encourages a disposition already too prev- 
alent, to prescribe for a disease according to its 
name. There is no line of genuine distinction 
between continued fevers, that can be relied upon. 
They run insensibly into each other, even the 
most dissimilar of them, and are traceable often to 
the same contagion." "A case of continued 



78 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

fever/' says Dr. Comfort, "that would be termed 
typhoid by one physician, by another would be 
called congestive; and by another probably low 
billions; whilst another would affix some name 
different from either of the others. Continued 
fever occurs in every grade of malignancy, from 
the mildest form of remittents to the most fatal 
kind of yellow fever, where the principle of life is 
destroyed in the onset of the disease, and termin- 
ating in the death of the patient without the 
system being able to establish reaction or fever. 
In these cases the patient remains in a deep stupor, 
as if stunned by a blow upon the head, or poisoned 
by a large dose of arsenic. Even in such cases 
the disease is called fever ; but we might with as 
much propriety say that a person killed by taking 
arsenic or prussic acid, died of fever. When one 
member of a family is taken ill of a malignant 
form of disease, such as physicians term typhus 
or congestive fever, it is a very common occur- 
rence that several others of the family are subse- 
quently taken down with disease of the same 
character, and so common it is for other persons in 
the neighborhood, who have been with the sick 
patients, to be also attacked with the disease, that 
some late writers, and among them Dr. Watson of 
London, consider continued fever capable of being 
communicated from one to another, and that the 
disease is caused by an animal poison. Whether 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 7D 



these low forms of fever be contagious or not, it 
will be a good rule to view them as contagious, and 
use such precautions as will be most likely to pre- 
vent their being communicated to the attendants 
upon the sick.'" 

There is much unnecessary alarm exists with 
regard to fevers, and it is to be regretted that 
physicians when called upon in slight attacks of 
disease, too often alarm their patients by affirming 
that they have all symptoms of fever; and more 
frequently terming it symptoms oHyphoid ; where- 
as such symptoms do not exist in the first stages of 
fever or early derangements of the system. Ty- 
phoid symptoms, or the sinking condition of the 
system does not take place until the vital powers 
measurably cease to contend with the disease. 
By observation we find ^rnany causes by which 
fever may be produced ; and frequently occurs 
with children from very trifling causes, which may 
be remedied by simple treatment, and that which 
harmonizes with nature, with but little inconven- 
ience. 

Adults, w T hose strength is in proportion with 
the disorder, although the cause be of a more se- 
rious nature, in many cases where symptoms of 
fever are apparent, might, by simply removing 
the obstructions from the system in the onset of 
of the disease escape the dreaded typhoid ; and 
the more direful effects of mercury. 



80 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

Myrrh. — In fever it is much better to give 
myrrli than quinine, as it may be given at any 
time without injury and with much better effect 
than quinine. It may be taken either in the form 
of pills or tincture. Care should be taken to pro- 
cure the pure Turkey myrrh. 

" When patients prefer taking medicine in the 
form of pills, the compound lobelia pills may be 
employed as a general medicine, more especially 
in the early stage of the disease, or until a crisis 
takes place and tonics are demanded." They may 
be continued during the continuance of the whole 
sickness with good effect. 

" When the fever is very high, the whole sur- 
face may be bathed with cold water, vinegar and 
water, alcohol, brandy, camphor and water, or 
salaratus water. This is more especially adapted 
to the early stages of the disease, or when the 
vital powers are sufficiently strong to bear these 
cold applications to the surface. Bathing the sur- 
face with whisky is perfectly safe, however, in 
any stage of the disease, and where the patient is 
greatly exhausted, this will generally afford relief 
and apparently give strength to the system. 

"A great variety of teas and preparations for 
drink may be used in fevers, as pennyroyal, balm, 
mint, lemonade, apple tea, crust coffee, etc. A 
tablespoonful of cold water may be frequently 
given where the thirst is urgent and the patient 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 81 

desires cold drinks. Where the brain is much af- 
fected, the feet should be kept warm and occasion- 
ally placed in warm water, containing mustard 
and salt, or hickory ashes. Injections are of espe- 
cial benefit under these circumstances in diverting 
the nervous influence, and consequently the blood 
from the head to the bowels. Not only in this are 
the injections beneficial, but they relieve the bow- 
els and aid in restoring their lost function. I 
have occasionally observed discharges of black 
vitiated bile, evidently from the liver, by relaxa- 
tion produced from an injection of lobelia; the ob- 
struction in the liver is in this way overcome, and 
the oro-an enabled to relieve itself from a state of 
congestion and oppression." 

The following treatment has been resorted to, 
even in the latter stages of fever, and after a re- 
lapse, when all the powers of the system seemed 
completely prostrated, with the most beneficial ef- 
fects, raising as it were from a hopelessly diseased 
condition. 

Take one teaspoonful of bayberry powder; one 
teaspoonful green lobelia powder; one-half tea- 
spoonful nerve powder ; and one-half teaspoonful 
cayenne ; steep these in about half a pint of water 
and when cool enough to drink, add one teaspoon- 
ful of the third preparation of lobelia; sweeten, or 
not, according to taste, and if desirable, add a lit- 
tle boiled, sweet cream. If too strong for the 

(6) 



82 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

patient, dilute it with some of the teas above named, 
and drink half a teacupful at any time, but at 
least three or four times a day. 

After the fever has subsided, a tea of wormwood 
will be found beneficial, and in some cases desira- 
ble to the taste. For a common drink bayberry 
and capsicum tea are recommended. 

AGUE AND FEVER. 

The poisonous agent that occasions ague and 
fever, may, under favorable considerations, exist 
in the system for weeks and even months, without 
visibly affecting the system ; the vital power keep- 
ing it under control; whereas if the vital forces 
become enfeebled by an exposure to cold which 
impairs the digestive functions, or if the powers of 
the stomach become overtaxed by unwholsome food , 
the poison in the system will take effect, and the 
intermittent fever will be developed. A loss of 
vital power is the first cause of all disease; this 
may justly be regarded as an axiom in the science 
of medicine. Excesses in eating and drinking oc- 
casion disease, by overtaxing the liver and diges- 
tive organs, and impairing the powers of the 
mucous membrane. One who becomes plethoric 
by eating and drinking more than the wastes and 
wants of the body demand, taxes the vital energies 
of the system to throw off the surplus material, 
and all the blood that the digestive organs pro- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 80 

duce, is required, in order to sustain the action 
accessary to rid the system of the fruits of excesses, 
so long as the mucous membrane continues to per- 
form its various functions, the functions of the 
other organs, the brain, heart, &c, may be sus- 
tained; but loss of power in the stomach will im- 
mediately impair the functions of other organs ; 
and when nature makes an effort to re-act, there 
will probably be distress and a sense of fullness in 
the head, and loss of action in the bowels, a hot 
skin and coated tongue, want of appetite, and often 
the patient is induced to believe that he has too 
much blood; sends for a physician to bleed him, 
who removes a part of the vital fluid, and the 
patient is relieved for a time; but such relief is 
obtained at the expense of his constitutional ener- 
gies. When from loss of heat, or internal nervous 
enegy, the skin ceases to perform its functions of 
throwing off through its pores, the worn-out mate- 
rials of the body, the retention of these acrid mat- 
ters in the system, becomes a secondary cause of 
disease; and the thickened secretions that form on 
the mucous membrane, constitute another cause, 
or more properly, a cause of the continuance of 
disease. 

These assertions are in accordance with Dr. S. 
Thomson's theory. The first link in the chain of 
disease is the loss of internal heat, then obstructed 
perspiration, and as a consequence of the former 



84 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

condition, canker forms upon the stomach and 
bowels. We do not know of a form of constitu- 
tional disease in which the above conditions do not 
occur consecutively, as above stated. 

Thomson's system of practice is consistent with 
the above theory of disease. The primary objects 
which it is designed to accomplish are to restore 
the lost heat, induce perspiration, clear the stom- 
ach of fulness, remove the canker, maintain an 
equilibrium in the circulation and determination 
to the surface, and promote the power of internal 
heat, until digestion is restored, which may be as- 
sisted by tonic and bitters. 

Treatment in the Cold Stage. — A course of med- 
icine, by its prompt action on the stomach, bowels 
and skin, will prove the most effectual method of 
curing the ague. In preparing the system for the 
application of tonics, commence with a course of 
medicine an hour or two before the chill may be 
expected to come on. In ordinary cases where 
the chills occur every other day, the course of 
medicine will seldom have to be repeated more 
than two or three times to effect a cure, provided 
a proper intermediate course of treatment be pur- 
sued. During a chill, the patient should drink 
hot teas; as composition, cayenne, or pennyroyal; 
and be placed in a vapor bath, or be covered up 
in bed with hot bricks, or jugs of water at the feet 
and back. This will assist to bring on re-action, 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 85 

and overcome the chill. When the fever comes 

on, if it is violent, an emetic should be given and 

the surface bathed with whiskey, or even water. 

When the sweating stage comes on, the patient 

should keep in bed and take warm drinks to favor 

the perspiration, and when it ceases, dry, warm 

clothing should be put on. A vapor bath at this 

period is very beneficial. 

The treatment during the intermission between 

the paroxisms, or chills, vary, according to the 

condition of the patient. In the first stage, pure 

stimulants, as composition, or cayenne, should be 

used ; or compound lobelia pills will answer as well, 

two or three to be taken every few hours. When 

there is no fever between the chills, and the tongue 

assumes a natural appearance, tonics will come in 

play. 

DYSENTARY. 

Symptoms. — Dysentary is generally preceded 
by loss of appetite, constipation, flatulency, sick 
stomach, slight vomiting and chills, succeeded by 
fever; after which griping and increased discharges 
from the bowels occur; after a time inflammation 
usually occupies chiefly the lower portion of the 
bowels ; and then the evacuations become frequent 
and small, causing intense pain in passing through 
the inflamed parts ; also producing severe griping, 
and spasms in patients of feeble constitution. The 
discharges are sometimes streaked with blood, then 



86 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

of an acrid, watery character, with a very offen- 
sive smell ; hard lumps are passed, being the natur- 
al contents of the bowels which have been retain- 
ed while these changes were taking place. We 
seldom witness anything like natural discharges, 
and from the violent efforts to evacuate the irrita- 
ting matter, a portion of the intestines is forced 
down below the rectum, which, as the disease pro- 
gresses, proves exceedingly troublesome and very 
distressing, occasioning a constant desire to go to 
stool, without the power to evacuate anything ex- 
cept a little mucus. The passing of these hard 
balls through the diseased bowels, is attended 
with severe pain. 

Causes of Dysentary. — A sudden check to per- 
spiration, particularly when the system is exhaust- 
ed from over-taxation, is a common cause of dysen- 
tary; or it frequently prevails as an epidemic in 
low, marshy districts of country,, perhaps from the 
combined influence of marsh affiuvia and damp- 
ness. The same cause that produces dysentary 
in one person, may occasion bilious fever in another. 
It is often that both forms of disease prevail; and 
some patients will have all symptoms of dysentary 
and bilious at the same time. Amono; the occa- 
sional causes are unwholesome food taken into the 
stomach, unripe fruit, &c. Diarrhea, dysentary, 
and cholera morbus, may arise from the same cause, 
or combination of causes. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 87 

Treatment.—- Courses of medicine, (see directions 
elsewhere for administering them), repeated at 
proper intervals, and a well regulated treatment 
between the courses, will cure dysentary sooner 
and more effectually than any other kind of treat- 
ment. The course should he repeated daily in 
severe cases; between the courses, or when the 
disease is of a mild character, not requiring a 
course of medicine, any one of the following prepa- 
rations may be given, at intervals of from one to 
two hours: A strong tea of bay berry, or sumach, 
adding a portion of cayenne, and sweetened; cayen- 
ne, in tea, pills, or taken in cold water; or the 
compound lobelia pills, from two to four every two 
hours, and an occasional dose of No. 6, in strong 
dewberry, catnip, or bayberry tea ; warm vapor 
applied to the surface is very beneficial in all cases 
of disordered bowels; a bath preceding an emetic, 
will greatly assist the operation of the latter. In- 
jections to remove acrid secretions should be com- 
posed of astringents and stimulents ; or strong tea 
of herbs — any of those mentioned above — adding 
a teaspoonful of the liquid of the "third prepara- 
tion of lobelia," and a table-spoonful of sweet oil, 
or melted lard, to half a pint of the tea; or add 
pepper with the other articles. Lobelia and nerve 
powder should be added when the stools are offen- 
sive. Purified charcoal, soda, saleratus, or lime- 
water, may either be added; also given in the 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

medicine. Catnip tea, very strong, with castile 

soap, makes an excellent injection, and if it be 
found upon trial to agree with the case, should be 
employed. The irritation produced by the metalic 
pipe of the syringe, should be avoided, in a mea- 
sure, by covering it well with tallow ; or, using a 
gum-elastic tube, made for the purpose, and placed 
on the metalic pipe, is preferable. 

Poulticing the Abdomen. — "Poultices composed 
of slippery elm and composition ; or of mush made 
of Indian meal, with a portion of cayenne added, 
and applied to the abdomen warm, will always 
prove beneficial, and will sometimes entirely re- 
move the griping pains." After the poultice is 
removed, the abdominal compress should be worn 
by the patient ; and will be of great benefit in keep- 
ing warmth to and stregthening the bowels. (Direc- 
tions for preparing the compress may be found in 
the article on Cholera-Infantum). 

Diet. — After an attack of dysentary, great care 
should be observed in diet: the lightest food only 
should be taken, and such as is most easily digest- 
ed. To assist in restoring digestion, the "spiced 
bitters," and other tonics should be employed. 

Xote. — When cayenne pepper is used in exter- 
nal applications, sweet oil, or lard, should always 
be added. 

Professor Chapman, in a lecture on dysentary 
in 1840, stated that at Vera Cruz, the only success- 



nil-: FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 89 

lul treatment in the malignant dysentary that pre- 
vailed there, was a free use of cayenne pepper tea., 
and injections of the same. A case of dysentary 
occurred in Chester county, Pa., of the most severe 
character, in which a quarter of a pound of cayenne 
pepper was used, given by injections and in tea, 
during one night, together with a large quantity 
o{ No. 6, and bayberry tea. The patient speedily 
recovered, and no doubt by means of the energetic 
treatment used. 

Dr. Thomson, in his Narrative, makes mention 
of a malignant form of dysentary which prevailed 
in the town of Jericho, in 1807, where, out of 
twenty cases, under the treatment of the medical 
faculty, but two recovered. The inhabitants be- 
came alarmed, and sent an express for Dr. Thom- 
son, who began to treat the disease according to 
his system of practice, and of thirty cases which 
came under his treatment, all except two recover- 
ed. "I had," says the doctor, "but little medi- 
cine with me, and had to make use of such as I 
could procure at this place. I found the cause of 
the disease to be coldness and canker; the diges- 
tive powers being lost, the stomach became clog- 
ged, so that it would not hold the heat. I made 
use of red peppers, steeped in a tea of sumach 
berries, and sometimes the bark and berries, to 
raise the heat and clear off the canker, which had 
the desired effect. After taking this tea, those 



1)0 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

who were strong enough, I placed over a steam, as 
long as they could bear it, and then put them in 
bed. Those who were too weak to stand, I con- 
trived to have set over the steam, and this repeat- 
ed as occasion required." To restore digestion, 
the doctor made use of a syrup made of black birch 
bark and cherrystones bruised. — Comfort's Prac. 

CHOLERA MORBUS. 

This disease is characterized by both vomiting 
and purging; attended by loss of appetite and pain 
at the pit of the stomach. 

Causes. — Sudden check from perspiration, or 
drinking too freely of cold water when the body is 
over- heated, or the stomach empty, undigested 
food, &c. 

Treatment. — Lobelia emetic is a remedy of 
acknowledged utility in cholera morbus. Indeed, 
the properties of the remedy and the nature of the 
disease appear peculiarly adapted to each other. 
The power of this remedy to equalize the circula- 
tion, cleanse the stomach, and relax the muscular 
system, are all required in a great degree in this 
disease. 

It may be overcome in the onset by drinking 
freely of composition tea, and administering injec- 
tions of the same with a portion of lobelia and 
nerve powder added. But in all severe cases the 
vapor bath and the emetic should be resorted to. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 91 

(HOLKKA INFANTUM. 

Children and infants are especially liable to 
bowel complants, arising from indigestion, particu- 
larly when they are teething. When there is 
both vomiting and purging it is called Cholera In- 
fantum. It seldom comes on suddenly violent, as 
happens in the cholera of adults; but generally 
commences with diarrhea, which continues several 
Jays before vomiting takes place; occasionally, 
however, the vomiting and purging come on sim- 
ultaneously. 

Infantile Cholera, like that of adults, arises from 
a loss of the power of digestion ; the food being 
imperfectly digested, becomes sour and acrid, and 
offends the stomach and bowels ; the constitution, 
endeavoring to cast off the undigested matter, by 
vomiting and purging. Cholera of infants is usual- 
ly much more protracted in duration, than that of 
adults; generally continuing for several days, and 
not unfrequently becomes chronic. In many in- 
stances, however, the vital powers sink rapidly, 
and the disease, if not subdued, will become sud- 
denly fatal. 

Now in all cases, there are two important objects 
to be observed in directing the treatment, namely : 
To assist the digestive functions, and to give such 
food as is most easily digested, avoiding everything 
that will be likely to ferment and sour on the 
stomach. 



[)'l THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

1 have treated a great many cases of bowel com- 
plaint, and have never, as yet, had the misfortune 
to lose one case ; and yet my treatment has been 
quite simple, even in severe cases, where the ex- 
tremities were cold, with a general torpor of the 
skin. 

2 he Abdominal Compress. — I have used the 
compress, prepared as follows: Take a piece of 
muslin of sufficient size to bandage the abdomen, 
spread it with rosin soap, and add one-half ounce 
of cloves, pulverized ; cover with another piece of 
muslin, and stitch, or quilt it closely ; then cover 
with a piece of flannel, applying the flannel side 
next to the body, and keep it saturated with 
whiskey. This can be worn many days, or even 
weeks, by frequently changing the flannsl. Every 
time the dressing is taken off, rub with a coarse 
towel, and bathe with No. 6, or whiskey. 

I have used the above with marked benefit. It 
should be followed by an emetic of green lobelia 
prepared as follows : Take an even teaspoonful of 
the green lobelia, and the same of No. 6, in a half 
teacupful of strong bayberry, or Thomson's No. 3 
powder, prepared as a tea; strong tea of the dew- 
berry root, or raspberry leaves, will answer as welh 
In severe cases, use the "third preparation of lobe- 
lia," with a portion of the "green lobelia," adding 
the tea. We have given the third preparation in 
a small quantity of boiled milk. The operation of 



THE family PHYSICIAN. 98 

an emetic has a beneficial influence upon the liver, 
in arousing it from a state of torpor. 

Injections in the first stage of bowel complaint, 
repeated perhaps three or four times, will in many 
instances, be sufficient to check the disease. They 
should be prepared in some one of the teas men- 
tioned before, always adding a portion of lobelia 
and Xo. 6, as the severity of the case may require. 
When the evacuations are green, denoting the 
presence of acid, or if they be of a frothy, acrid 
eharacter, a portion of saleratus, or a teaspoonful 
of the bicarbonate of soda should be added to the 
injection. A tea made of soot from a chimney, or 
a teaspoonful of purified animal charcoal, given in 
a portion of boiled milk, will neutralize the acidity 
of the stomach. 

To the injections should be added the use of the 
"vapor bath," for which directions are given in the 
article under that name. All who have ever wit- 
nessed the effects of the vapor bath in cholera in- 
fantum, must have been convinced of its utility. 
This disease often runs on for several weeks, the 
patient looking badly, and as though it could not 
live long; but if the above treatment is used per- 
severingly, it will in most cases effect a cure. 

CHOLERA. 

This most distressing disease, which has made 
such fearful strides over the earth, sweeping down 



94 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

thousands of our race, suggests the natural inqui- 
ry to all thinking persons, what causes the Cholera, 
and can it be prevented ? The profoundest philo- 
sophers, chemists, physiologists, and theropuetists 
have bestowed their most careful investigations 
upon this subject, until the results of these inves- 
tigations have become so numerous and varied, if 
not absolutely contradictory, as to leave the whole 
subject in obscurity and doubt. J. W. Comfort, 
late of Philadelphia, in his botanic practice, says : 
"In all the cases of recoveries from cholera which 
have come under my immediate notice, where an 
opportunity afforded of examining the matters 
ejected from the stomach, under the operation of 
emetics employed, there have been invariably 
flakes of a membraneous appearance, mixed with 
thickened, greyish, or brown tenacious secretions, 
to be observed floating upon the fluids thrown up." 
The Immediate, or Existing Cause. — The gen- 
erally existing cause of cholera, as it prevailed in 
Philadelphia, in 1832 and '49, was undigested food 
in the stomach; the enfeebled condition of the 
digestive powers rendered the stomach extremely 
liable to become oppressed, and even paralyzed, by 
improper articles of diet. In most instance, when 
the attack was sudden and violent, it was after 
food had been taken that proved indigestable, act- 
ing as a violent poison to the vital functions; the 
straining efforts to vomit, attending the disease, 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. !)•"> 

wore the struggles of nature to rid the stomach 
of the offending cause; but frequently these efforts 
were ineffectual when not assisted by appropriate 
remedies. In eases of cholera, where the promi- 
nent symptoms were watery diarrhea, unattended 
with vomiting, or sickness at the stomach, the 
administration of the hot air bath, followed by a 
stimulating lobelia emetic, proved the most effec- 
tual treatment, evacuating the stomach of masses 
of indigestible food and acrid secretions which had 
remained in the stomach, but for want of a proper 
degree of sensibility in that organ ; their presence 
exciting neither sickness nor vomitino*. Dr. Geo. 
MeClellan, in a lecture, stated that during the 
prevalence of cholera in 1832, finding, by post- 
mortem examination, masses of indigestible crudi- 
ties in the stomach, where persons had died of the 
disease. He adopted the practice of administer- 
ing active mustard emetics, and stated that in 
some instances, indigestible crudities were thrown 
from the stomach, such as pieces of boiled beets, 
cabbage, corned beef, &c, which evidently, in 
some instances, had lain a week or more in the 
stomach, as the persons had eaten nothing of the 
kind during that period of time. The lecturer in- 
formed the class that the practice was invariably 
successful when the mustard emetic effected a free 
evacuation of the stomach, before the patient had 
sunk deep into a state of collapse. The diagnostic 



9G THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

signs of this dreadful malady are well defined and 
we see no reason why we may not fill the various 
indications promptly, and successfully relieve the 
symptoms ; the premonitory symptoms are usually 
languor, giddiness, pain, and rumbling noise in 
the bowels, headache, diarrhea, and sometimes 
nausea and vomiting, slight cramps of the fingers 
and toes. When the disease is fully established, 
the symptoms are giddiness, ringing in the ears, 
imperfect vision, violent vomiting, intense burn- 
ing sensation at the pit of the stomach, raging 
thirst, cramps and spasms of the lower extremities 
and sometimes extending over the whole body, 
the eyes sunken and the countenance pale ; the 
skin becomes corrugated on the hands and feet 
and acquires a livid, bluish color, turning cold and 
white ; the blood thick and black, highly carboni- 
zed; frequent discharges from the stomach and 
bowels of a serous, or watery fluid, resembling rice 
water, with complete suppression of the biliary 
and urinary secretions, and partial suspension of 
the action of the heart and arteries; the mental 
faculties usually remain unimpaired. 

Treatment. — The following treatment will prove 
successful in almost every case if instituted in 
season ; in most cases we find the patient weak 
and sinking, nervous functions in a measure sus- 
pended, circulation abridged, determination in- 
ward, great irritation in the alimentary canal, 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 97 

intense burning within, but cold without, and the 
surface covered with acold, clammy sweat. With 
these symptoms, the indications are manifest. — 
Treatment first to reverse the determination, to 
restore nervous action, to equalize the circulation 
and restore animal heat. Secondly, to remove 
every cause of irritation from the alimentary canal. 
Thirdly, to sustain the strength of the patient and 
tone up the general system. The first indication 
may be filled by the use of the foot bath, of water 
as warm as can be borne, and containing a portion 
ilt, to be continued twenty minutes, with fric- 
tion. In mild cases, give "Comfort's Cholera 
Mixture," "Cholera Drops," and "Concentrated 
Cholera Mixture." In severe cases, or where the 
above remedies fail, the "Third preparation of 
Lobelia," vapor baths and active stimulating ap- 
plications to the surface, such as equal portions of 
composition powder, cayenne and elm powder, 
wet with hot water to a proper consistence for a 
poultice, applied over the abdomen, will be found 
highly advantageous in the treatment of cholera. 
Wet the poultice occasionally and renew it as of- 
ten as once in twenty-four hours. If any of the 
above remedies cannot be obtained, I have used 
the abdominal compress with decided benefit (see 
Cholera Infantum.) Finally, the only effectual 
way to relieve the retching and vomitino- attend- 
ant upon cholera is to warm the system, cleanse 

(7) 



98 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

the stomach, and effect a determination to the stir- 
face. Full doses of emetic preparations may oc- 
casion pain in the stomach, but the pain soon sub- 
sides, and the patient feels at once that he has been 
benefited by the medicine. Hot applications to 
the pit of the stomach will tend to relieve pain. 
The bath must be repeated as often as the nature 
of the case seems to require. 

Injections. — Stimulating and astringent injec- 
tions are beneficial in all cases of cholera, and 
though not indespensable to the cure of the disease, 
still they cannot be employed too frequently to 
answer a good purpose. One of the best prepara- 
tions for injections is half a' pint of bay berry or 
sumach tea, with from one to two teaspoonfuls of 
the third preparation of lobelia added. Drink 
cold water if it agrees with the stomach ; if tl 
thirst be urgent, composition or ginger tea, or 
almost any kind of aromatic herb tea that the pa- 
tient may fancy. I would greatly prefer balm. 

Diet. — Essence of beef, essence of chicken, egg 
soup and wine whey constitute the kinds of food 
best adapted to the digestive functions in this 
disease. 

Prevention of Cholera. — In order to prevent 
cholera, it is highly important to observe regular- 
ity in living. Eat regularly and sufficiently of 
plain, nourishing and substantial food, three times 
a day, at intervals of from five to six hours, eating 



»e 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 99 

nothing between meals. Avoid heavy and late 
suppers. Reject all unripe fruits, cucumbers, 
onions, pickles, and other innutritions, irritating 
and indigestible articles of food. Use no rancid 
butter in any way. It is also important to avoid 
hot or highly shortened and rich bread, sweet cake 
and highly seasoned pastry, &c, in consequence of 
the great tendency of such articles to produce 
acidity of the stomach. On this account also, 
sugar and molasses, in any way, should be used in 
moderation. "Whatever is calculated to promote 
and maintain the health of the body, is a preven- 
tive of cholera." Use good sweet bread, but none 
fresh baked or warm ; that made of unbolted wheat 
flour is the best ; the juice and pulp of ripe fruits, 
rejecting the indigestible portions, as the rind, 
core, seeds, &c. ; eat moderately of animal food, 
either fresh or salt, of such as is healthy and prop- 
erly prepared ; but use no veal or fibrous salt 
meat that has had its nutritious substance destroy- 
ed by saltpetre or a superabundance of salt, or 
that has been otherwise injured. Those who have 
not heretofore discarded the habitual use of ardent 
spirits and tobacco, should leave it off at once, and 
entirely ; these are artificial and enervating stim- 
ulants, and as such, constantly over-excite the 
nervous system and produce a predisposition to 
disease, and especially to cholera. Avoid dense 
crowds of human beings, wherever congregated. 



lilii THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

Ventilate your houses, particularly the sleeping 
apartments, thoroughly in the day time ; and at 
night leave open all the partition doors that you 
can, and permit the escape of impure air at the 
lops of the windows. Preserve your rooms, beds 
and clothing, free from dampness and mold, and 
keep small fires, in cool and damp weather. Damp 
houses should have fire in them every day. Re- 
tire early, and put on sufficient clothing for the 
state of the weather, immediatelv on leaving your 
bed. Avoid the intense heat of the sun at noon- 
day, and the dampness of the night air. Preserve 
the mind calm and free from anxiety. Pay timely 
and proper attention to deviations from health. 
Dress with regard to the wants of the body, always 
taking into consideration the temperature of the 
atmosphere. Be temperate in all things. Pay 
strict regard to the state of the skin and bowels, 
and secure their healthy action. We believe the 
above to be the best preventive means of cholera 
and also practical and reliable rules of health. 

Case of Cholera. — In the year 1855, 1 was called 
upon to treat a case of cholera, the patient being 
a lady, upwards of seventy years of age, living in 
Alliance, Ohio. She was entirely alone when 
taken with the cholera, and consequently some 
time elapsed before anything was done for her. 
When I arrived I found her making ineffectual 
efforts, to vomit, attended with frequent purging 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 101 

and cramp in the limbs. She grow rapidly woi 
and became unable to speak. A daughter and 
daughter-in-law were present, who were much 
opposed to my mode of treatment, and positively 
refused to render any assistance whatever — even 
refusing to get cloths, in which to wrap heated 

bricks. Dr. W , a physician living near 

by, called at the door during the evening to 
enquire after the mother, and was told by one of 
the daughters, contrary to the state of the patient, 
that she was no better. He exclaimed, "Oh, 
dear !" and turned away. 

Treatment. — Owing to the opposition of which 
1 have spoken, I commenced with a milder treat- 
ment of the case than I should have otherwise 
employed, which was as follows : Frequent doses 
of a strong tea, made of composition and nerve 
powders, spirits of camphor, extract of ginger, &c, 
giving injections to the bowels of the same tea 
also, steaminc;; bricks, &j. Finding this insum- 
cient, I resorted to more prompt and powerful 
remedies, administering the "third preparation of 
lobelia" in teaspoonful doses every ten or fifteen 
minutes, until three doses were taken ; when the 
patient raising her hand, said : "I feel the good 
of your medicine ; this is the first that has done 
me good, and I feel it to the ends of my fingers." 
Reaction had now taken place. I continued with 
the spirits of camphor, extract of ginger, &c, kept 



102 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

heated bricks wrapped in damp cloths, (steaming), 
around her body and limbs, frequently bathing her 
limbs and abdomen with No. 6, using active friction 
to the surface. I gave her the composition and ner- 
vine tea with cream, and sweetened, continued the 
injections of the tea for several days, and directed 
suitable nourishment to be taken; also tonics, such 
as "Comfort's common spiced bitters." She was 
taken about eight o'clock in the morning, and I 
was called at two o'clock, p. m., and remained with 
her until one the following morning, when I left 
her in a comfortable condition. I called again 

early in the day, but was preceded by Dr. W , 

who had called to see if she was still living, and 
being told by her husband that she was very com- 
fortable, he silently turned away. She speedily 
recovered, notwithstanding her age, and was, at. 
last accounts, still living. 

Note. — In a short time after this, the daughter 
before mentioned, procured a quantity of plums 
for preserving purposes, and eating heartily of the 
fruit, was taken with cholera the ensuing night. 

Dr. W— was called to treat the case, and the 

patient died the following day. Her father stated 
that there were knots upon her limbs as large as a 
walnut, and that he believed if she had been treat- 
ed as her mother had been, that she too might 
have recovered. 

Charcoal as a Preventive of Cholera. — The pub- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 103 

lie Ledger of Philadelphia oontained an article a 
short time since, recommending pulverized char- 
coal as a preventive of cholera. Purified charcoal 
messes extraordinary antiseptic and absorbent 
properties ; it will purify meat which has become 
tainted. We have great confidence in charcoal as 
a corrector of the contents of the stomach, and 
believe it may be used with special benefit as a 
preventive of cholera. It has been ascertained of 
Dr. Gurrod, of London, by experiment, that pur- 
ified animal charcol is an antidote to all of the 
vegetable and many of the mineral poisons. The 
secretions in the stomach, during the prevalence 
of cholera, are very liable to be acrid, and we 
believe, often, to some extent, poisonous, even 
when the general health is not very materially 
impaired. In such cases, charcoal taken on an 
empty stomach may prove a preventive of cholera. 
The purified charcoal, combined with a concen- 
trated syrup of bay berry or dewberry root is a 
preparation that we have used in a great many cases 
of sickness of various kinds, with evident benefit 
to the patients. The dose of charcoal is from a 
teaspoonful to a large tablespoonful. It may be 
taken mixed with water, boiled milk or composi- 
tion tea or cayenne tea. Charcoal is a safe article 
and may be taken freely without any risk of its 
doing injury. 



104 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

CASES OF CHOLERA. — FROM "REPORTS OF CASES " 
IN comfort's MEDICAL JOURNAL. 

"J. — vV , a man about 32 years of age, 

was taken ill of cholera, in August, 1833. When 
I first saw him he had been ill three days ; vomit- 
ing and purging frequently, and in great distress. 
The surface and extremities were cold, countenance 
haggard, voice husky, and he had begun to have 
severe cramps in his legs. The stomach rejected 
everything that had been given. 

11 Treatment. — A vapor bath; and stimulants 
given (such as composition, ~No. 6, and cayenne ;) 
but everything swallowed was immediately reject- 
ed. I had had no experience in the treatment of 
cholera, but recollected the advice of Dr. Thom- 
son, — 'In violent attacks of disease, give the 
strongest medicine;' and influenced by this advice, 
I gave the third preparation of lobelia, a teaspoon- 
f al added to half a teacupful of bayberry tea ; and 
this was the first medicine which the stomach had 
retained for three days and nights. In about 
twenty minutes the patient threw up a gill or 
more of a thick gray substance, together with 
fluids ; and immediately after the symptoms seem- 
ed more favorable. I then repeated the dose every 
hour, and it produced the most happy effect. Hot 
bricks were kept to the feet and body, and after 
three or four doses of the third preparation, the 
surface became warm, and very little of the cramps 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 105 

remained. The stomach became settled so that 
nourishment could be retained, and composition 
and cayenne taa were given freely without being 
rejected. The vapor bath was administered daily, 
and always proved beneficial ; and in a few days, 
Mr. \V was able to attend to business." 



"Mr. IS was attacked with cholera at 

night, whilst sleeping in his store. He was taken 
home and I saw him at two o'clock in the morn- 
ing, and found him in a state of collapse, and his 
stomach rejecting everything that had been swal- 
lowed. The 'rice water' discharges from his 
stomach and bowels were excessive — more than a 
quart passing the bowels every fifteen or twenty 
minutes. His tongue was dry, thirst urgent, 
features pinched, and voice hollow ; and he was 
cramped from head to foot. 

" Treatment. — The alcoholic hot air bath was 
applied, and before the patient had been in the 
bath fifteen minutes he experienced much relief 
from the cramps, and other distressing symptoms. 
After the bath, hot bricks w T ere applied, and the 
third preparation of lobelia given in teaspoonful 
doses every ten or fifteen minutes in composition 
tea, until about four doses had been given. It had 
the same good effect as in the above case ; and 
when reaction had taken place, composition and 
cayenne were given as medicine, and milk por- 



106 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN'. 

ridge well seasoned with cayenne, as nourishment. 
In a few days Mr. S. recovered his usual health. 
Vln applying the vapor, or hot air bath, I have 
found it necessary in most cases of cholera, to have 
the patient's head supported by a pillow, placed 
on the back of a chair before the patient ; and I 
have never known an instance where the cramps 
were not entirely overcome or greatly relieved by 
these baths." 



"Mr. B had been under treatment for 

cholera, but obtaining no relief that was perma- 
nent, sent for me. I found him in the greatest 
distress, and growing worse. I placed him in the 
hot air bath and proceeded with the remedies 
much the same as in the above cases, and with the 
same satisfactory result. He took a teaspoonful 
of the third preparation of lobelia in composition 
tea every hour through the night. After this, he 
took freely of cayenne, ginger and composition tea, 
to keep up the heat. Essence of beef, and cracker 
panada, with wine, was given for nourishment. 
He was able to attend to business in a week from 
the time I first visited him." 



"Mrs. C , of Camden, X. J., was attacked 

with cholera, and her husband desired me to visit 
her. I did so, and pursued my usual course of 

treatment with good success. Under the opera- 



Tin: FAMILY PHYSICIAN. K)7 

tion of the medicince, she threw up food which 
had boon taken two days previously — the stomach 
having made many fruitless efforts to throw off 
the offending material, but could not accomplish 
if without aid. 

"If the treatment had been directed to quiet the 
Btomach and bowels as is so often the case by the 
use of narcotics and anodynes, the case would in 
all human probability have terminated fatally, as 
many others have terminated under such treat- 
ment, which would not have been their fate if they 
had been placed under that kind of treatment, 
which raises and aids the sunken energies of the 
stomach, and gives it power to expel the offend- 
ing cause." 

"The following cases of sudden death from 

cholera occurred during the summer of , 

when the disease prevailed in Philadelphia, a lady 
from the country, on a visit to her daughter, living 
on Erie street, was taken suddenly with distress 
in her stomach soon after dinner, and attributed 
it to the green peas she had eaten. The pain 
increased and she began to retch and make efforts 
to vomit. Several physicians were called, and 
preparations of camphor, opium, &c, were given 
her, but she still grew worse, and the vomiting 
and purging continued; the patient became terri- 
bly cramped, and died in eight hours after she 
was taken ill. 



108 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

"This lady apparently enjoyed perfect health 
before dinner, cheerful and enjoying company, 
and might have been cured, we confidently believe, 
by an emetic of the third preparation of lobelia, 
given in the early stage of the attack. Nature 
made the effort to throw the offending cause from 
the stomach, and by the help of an emetic, early 
administered, the stomach would have been reliev- 
ed, further suffering prevented, and the life of the 
patient saved." 



"Two ladies in a family in Almond street were 
taken suddenly ill soon after dinner, and both 
attributed their diseases to boiled string beans 
and ice cream, which thev had eaten for dinner. 
A physician of the old school, who had been thirty 
years in practice, was called, who prescribed opium 
pills, and nothing else, from first to last, and both 
patients died the following night." 

It is our settled conviction that each of the 
above cases might have been cured without difficul- 
ty, by a prompt and efficient lobelia emetic, given 
in the early stage of the attack, before the powers 
of the stomach were too far prostrated. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. KM) 

ERUPTIVE DISEASES. 

SMALL POX. 

ptoms. — Some days after exposure to the 
infection, perhaps eight to fifteen, as in other cases 

obstruction of the circulation, the patient is 
seized with languor and lassitude, and soon after. 
with pains in different parts of the nervous sys- 
tem, according to temperament, liabilities and 
habits; usually however in the head and spinal 
column. These pains are succeeded by fever, 
oppression of the brain, and now and then by delir- 
ium. Those who live most temperately and reg- 
ularly, and chiefly, or wholly, on vegetable food, 
are least liable to take the disease, and least injur- 
ed by it when they do take it. These symptoms 
usually continue from three to four days before 
the eruption appears. 

Treatment. — Small pox should be treated on 
general principles, the same as other forms of 
disease attended with fever. 

If the fever is severe, and especially if delirium 
follows, sl full course of medicine should be admin- 
istered. It will tend to relieve the distress, and 
where the eruption is slow to come out, it should 
in no wise be omitted. 

"During the cold or forming stage, the patient 
should be kept warm ; but after the fever is estab- 
lished, the covering should not be too great, nor 



110 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

the room kept uncomfortably warm. It is also 
important that the room should be well ventilated." 

The Vapor Bath. — "During the chilly or form- 
ing stage of small pox, more especially when the 
efforts at reaction are feeble, and the cold stage 
consequently becomes mo^e protracted, the vapor 
bath is of essential benefit, and, when followed by 
an emetic, will seldom fail to bring on reaction. 
The bath also prepares the skin for the reception 
of the eruption. After the bath, the patient may 
be washed or sponged over with soap and water, 
or with a weak solution of saleratus in water. 
The temperature of the water should be regulated 
to suit the feelings of the patient. 

Drinks. — Where the thirst is urgent, moderate 
quantities of cold water, or lemonade, may be 
allowed the patient, more especially after taking 
a dose of stimulating medicine." 

The Diet. — "During the early stages of the 
disease but little nourishment will be desired. 
Crust-coffee, barley-water, elm-gruel, &c, are suit- 
able in ordinary cases, until the pustules begin to 
assume a yellow appearance, when a more gener- 
ous diet may be allowed, as milk porridge, toast 
and milk, soft boiled eggs, custards, &c. Where 
the symptoms indicate great prostration of the vital 
powers, wine whey and the essence of beef should 
be given as nourishment. Five or ten grains of 
the carbonate of ammonia may be added to a wine- 






THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN, 111 

glassful of the whey, as it tends to prevent acidity 
of the Btomach, and also affords a grateful stimulus. 
Constipation of the bowels may be in a great 

measure overcome by a diet consisting principally 
of unbolted wheat flour gruel, calves' foot jelly, 
stewed prunes, Indian gruel, well boiled, or bread 
cut in thin slices, well toasted and softened with 
sweet cream or boiled milk." 

"When the eyes are very sore, they should be 
kept covered with soft cloths, wet frequently with 
rose-water or raspberry-leaf tea, adding a portion 
of powdered elm." 

VACCINATION — COW T POX. 

''The frightful and ridiculous accounts related 
concerning vaccination during its early struggles 
against popular prejudice, were probably not even 
surpassed in inconsistency by the multitude of 
gross and palpable misrepresentations extensive- 
ly circulated concerning Thomson's system of 
medicine. 

"The practice of vaccination however, finally 
gained the confidence of many medical men, and 
soon become generally adopted. Jenner, on his 
first visit to the United States for the purpose of 
introducing vaccination, met with strenuous oppo- 
sition from the medical profession of Boston, where 
he first landed. Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, then 
a professor at Yale College, was the first of the 



112 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

medical faculty who adopted vaccination; lie 
introduced it into his own family, and about the 
same time Thomas Jefferson's family were vaccin- 
ated ; and in a few years after, the practice of vac- 
cination became generally adopted, not only in 
England and the United States, but throughout 
all the civilized countries. 

"There is too much evidence to admit of a doubt, 
that vaccination affords a protection in general 
against small pox. That it occasionally fails to 
afford protection to the system, is equally certain ; 
but it should be borne in mind that there are many 
assignable causes for these failures; such as when 
the matter used is of a spurious character, or its 
virtue destroyed by long keeping; or where erysipe- 
latous inflammation takes place, and destroys the 
genuine character of the disease ; or where the 
patient is affected with an eruptive disorder, and 
thus the vaccine disease is prevented or changed. 
Dr. J. W. Comfort ; in his practice, says : 'I 
attended a female w T ho had the small pox in a 
most violent form, and who had been vaccinated. 
On examining the mark on her arm, I discovered 
a large smooth scar nearly the size of a quarter of 
a dollar, showing that the scab must have been 
three or four times as large as a genuine vaccine 
scab ; and that the inflammation had probably so 
modified the disease, as to afford no protection 
against small pox. Her family had been vaccina- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 113 

ted, and they all escaped the small pox. It is at 
least probable that in the greater part of those 
3 of small pox that occur after vaccination, the 
failure of vaccination in affording protection has 
been in consequence of imperfection in the vaccine 
virus, its nature being changed by erysipelatous 
inflammation ; the vesicle having broken and the 
fluid escaped ; or from the scab being injured or 
rubbed off soon after it had formed. 

"A genuine vaccine scab is not larger in circum- 
ference than a five cent piece, nearly round, with 
an indentation, or eye in the centre ; smooth on 
the upper surface, with a bold and regular round- 
ed edge ; of a mahogany color, horny appearance, 
and brittle. 

The Season Host Favorable. — "In very cold or 
very hot weather, vaccination is very liable to 
fail, requiring in some instances to be repeated 
several times before it will take. 

Age. — "A child should not be vaccinated until 
after it is at least two months old. The usual 
time is about the fourth or fifth month. 

Precautions. — "Be sure that the matter to be 
used is genuine. Do not vaccinate a child affected 
with any eruptive disease. Persons predisposed to 
erysipelas should not be vaccinated at a time when 
that disease is prevailing. 

General Characteristics of the Genuine Vaccine 
Disease. — "Little or no inflammation until or after 

(8) 



114 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

the third day from the time the puncture is made. 

1 'About the fourth or fifth day, a small point of 
inflammation appears, which gradually enlarges, 
and in about two days, a small vesicle is formed, 
which is depressed in the centre, and without 
inflammation in the adjoining skin. The vesicle 
enlarges, remains circular, with a regular and well 
defined margin, more depressed in the centre, and 
a small crust begins to form in the centre of the 
depression, by the seventh or eighth day. Fre- 
quently by the ninth day it will be two or three 
inches in diameter, but remaining circular. The 
crust in the centre grows darker, assuming the 
appearance of matter. 

"The crust, in many instances, does not loosen 
and fall off under three weeks. It leaves a perm- 
anent circular cicatrix, being marked by many little 
pits." 

Local Treatment. — "When the inflammation 
becomes so great as to require attention, as it often 
does when the disease is of a spurious character, 
the parts should be bathed occasionally with tinc- 
ture of lobelia, and a salve of simple cerate, or a 
preparation of sweet oil and lime water applied.- 
In some cases, a poultice of elm and ginger, kept 
wet with the tincture of lobelia, answers better than 
salves. In severe cases, accompanied with much 
pain, the bowels should be relieved by injections, 
and the patient kept slightly nauseated with lobelia, 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 11~> 

or if necessary a vapor bath and an emetic given. 
When the swelling is very great, the arm should 
be kept at perfect rest, in a sling, or on a pillow. 
"The glands under the arm are apt to be swollen, 
and sore, and care should be taken to avoid lifting 
a child with the hands under the arms, as is the 
usual practice." — Comfort's Practice. 

SCALD HEAD. 

This disease commences with small ulcers which 
discharge a humor that forms into thick crusts or 
scabs ; sometimes nearly the whole of the scalp 
becomes affected, forming a continuous mass or 
scab, attended w r ith itching. This disease is mostly 
confined to children, and, unless correctly treated, 
may continue for years. 

Treatment. — A most important part of the treat- 
ment is to exclude the air from the parts affected. 
Cut the hair off and apply some kind of salve or 
plaster that will exclude the air; such as Thom- 
son's Healing Salve, or an ointment made of 
tar and suet, wearing a cap made of bladder or 
oiled silk. The cap must be removed every day, 
and the parts that suppurate, be cleansed. Rub 
the cap over the inside with tallow or oil, to pre- 
vent sticking. Tincture of myrrh or bayberry, or 
a tea made of soot may be used to allay the itch- 
ing. Constitutional treatment should also be used 
in bad cases, with a suitable diet; bread made of 



110 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

unbolted flour, rye mush, fruit, &c. After a cure, 

the head should be bathed twice a day, for a time, 

with tincture of myrrh, to prevent a return of the 

eruption. 

TETTER. 

There are different forms of tetter ; such as 
pustular, corroding, or eating tetter; and another 
species appearing in the form of hard, dry, red 
spots, mostly on the face and neck, but sometimes 
extending over the whole body. It depends in 
general upon chronic derangement of some inter- 
nal organ, such as torpor of the liver or obstinate 
constipation of the bowels ; and can be cured only 
by restoring the disordered functions of the sys- 
tem. If the habits be sedentary, the patient 
should exercise in the open air, especially after 
meals, and use especial care to keep the feet warm 
and dry. 

Diet should be such as best suits the patient's 
constitution, avoiding hot bread, sweet cakes, fat, 
salt meat, or strong coffee. 

A change of residence has been found beneficial 
where medicine without a change may fail. 

PRICKLY HEAT. 

This disease generally attacks children in very 
warm weather, and during the period of teething. 
Feeble digestion is the common cause. 

Treatment. — A few doses of lime water, togeth- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 117 

er with the use of the tincture of lobelia, in small 
quantities, to produce a slight nausea. This will 
correct the stomach and bowels. The eruption 
will continue in many cases until the teeth are 
through the gums, and the irritation has subsided. 

ERYSIPELAS. 

Erysipelas seldom occurs unless there be a 
derangement of the general health. The first 
symptoms are languor, chilliness, headach, loss of 
appetite, and other signs of a disordered stomach. 
These symptoms are usually followed by fever for 
two or three days before the eruption appears. 

The face and limbs are most liable to erysipelas. 
The danger is not great unless the brain be attack- 
ed by it, or when it occurs in broken down consti- 
stitutions, and the disease assumes a typhus 
character. 

Ireatment. — A course of medicine will, in many 
instances, check at once the further spreading of 
the inflammation. When on the face or head, 
evacuate the bowels by injections, and drink warm 
teas. In all severe cases, keep the patient more 
or less relaxed with small doses of lobelia, and give 
either composition or pepper tea. The room 
should be kept at a moderate and even temperature. 

Diet should consist of the lightest kind of food, 
such as slippery elm gruel, barley water, essence 
of beef, wine whey, &c. 



118 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

Children predisposed to erysipelas should not be 
vaccinated until the health is restored. 

As a local application to the inflamed surface, 
the third preparation of lobelia has been used with 
much benefit. Soap, linament, opodeldoc, sweet 
oil and lime water, or tar ointment, may either of 
them be applied to the parts affected. 
MEASLES. 

This disease usually becomes developed either 
on the fifth or seventh day after exposure to the 
contageon. The symptoms are restlessness, chilli- 
ness, pain in the head, with an increased flow of 
tears, and a discharge of watery humors from the 
nostrils. In the first stage of the disease, fever 
comes on, the throat becomes soar, there is hoarse- 
ness and a dry cough, nausea and vomiting, hur- 
ried and oppressed breathing, pain in the back 
and loins, and sometimes profuse sweating. In 
about four or five days after the commencement 
of the fever, the eruptions appear in the form oi* 
small red spots. 

Treatment. — In ordinary cases, but little medi- 
cine is required. The vapor bath and an emetic 
in the early stage, will lighten the disease and 
render the patient more comfortable ; afterwards 
give small doses of tincture of lobelia and warm 
teas, such as composition, ginger, pennyroyal, &c. 
Keep the patient comfortably warm, avoiding 
exposure to a current of air. 



THE FAMILY PHYBICIaN. IP.) 

Where more than one of the family are sick 
at the same time, let them be kept separate, if 
possible. 

SCARLET FEVER. 

This resembles measles so closely in the first 
stages that it is difficult to distinguish between 
them. It is of no consequence to make a distinc- 
tion, as the very same course of treatment is 
applicable to both cases. 

SHINGLES. 

"This disease bears a close resemblance to 
erysipelas, and arises from a disordered state of 
the system, loss of appetite, lassitude, headache, 
nausea, shooting pains through the chest and 
btomach, &c., are symptoms usually preceding the 
eruption. The vesicles are transparent until the 
fourth or fifth day, when they acquire a yellow- 
ish or milky appearance, and in the course of a day 
or two, break and form brown crust, and in a 
few days after, fall off." 

"There is a vulgar and erroneous notion that the 
eruption proves fatal when it surrounds the whole 
body." This we know to be untrue. "The patient 
should be cautioned against rubbing off the heads 
of the blisters, as troublesome ulceration may fol- 
low as a consequence of their premature rupture. 

Treatment, the same as erysipelas. 



120 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

FELONS AND ABSCESSES. 

Nothing will afford so much relief as local steam- 
ing, in felons or abscesses. When deeply seated 
in the tissues and the pain is intensely severe, 
steaming over a basin of hot water, with a cover- 
ing over the hand and basin to confine the warm 
vapor to the parts. After steaming, poultices 
should be applied, composed of elm powder, green 
lobelia and white pond lily, equal parts ; the poul- 
tice to be be kept wet with warm water or what is 
better, composition tea ; then place the hand upon 
a warm brick wrapped in a wet cloth and warmly 
covered ; the heat and moisture thus effected , 
relieves the pain by promoting the circulation of 
blood in the capillary vessels, and at the same 
time hasten the passage of the matter to the sur- 
face and promote suppuration. We would recom- 
mend a trial of the steaming in all cases of felons , 
catarrhs, &c. 

OF THE TREATMENT OF OLD SORES, OR 
CHRONIC ULCERS. 

The chief causes which prevent the healing of 
ulcers, are a want of healthy circulation in the 
parts, and the formation of acrid, irritating matter 
upon the surface of the ulcer. 

To Improve the Circulation. — The application 
of heat and moisture ; in other words, steaming 
the affected part half art hour or longer at a time, 



tin: family PHYSICIAN. 1 12 1 

will restore the circulation and supply the vessels 

with arterial blood more promptly than by any 
ether local means that can be employed. The 
steaming should be done daily, or less frequently, 
as the circumstances of the case may require. We 
have often observed a very striking difference in the 
appearance of the ulcer, but more particularly in 
the surrounding tissues, as presented before and 
alter a local steaming. Those not supplied with 
an apparatus for the purpose, may apply the steam 
by placing a hot brick in a vessel containing hot 
water, about two inches in depth, and resting the 
limb upon a chair, having a covering so placed as 
to confine the vapor to the limb, which must be 
stripped of all dressing. After the steaming the 
limb should be washed with cold water, rubbed 
dry, and bathed with vinegar or whiskey ; and 
when the dressing is put on, envelope the limb 
where the ulcer is situated with oiled silk, to pre- 
vent evaporation, and retain the heat. If the 
affected parts cannot be kept warm without artifi- 
cial means, apply a jug of hot water. 

Bandaging the Limb. — If the limb be swollen, 
a bandage should be put on after each dressing, 
or what is still better, a laced stocking should be 
worn. This is more especially demanded where 
the veins are enlarged, as they generally are in 
cases of chronic ulcers on the leg. 

Tincture of Myrrh.— -The application of tincture 



122 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

of myrrh to an ulcer, prevents the putrefactive 
tendency, so common in. all sores. There is no 
other article, probably, of equal efficacy in accom- 
plishing this great object. In many instances, 
ulcers emit an offensive odor, occasioned by the 
putrid matter covering its surface. The myrrh 
should be applied as often as twice a day, until 
the ulcer is healed. 

Finely pulverized sugar should be sprinkled on 
the ulcer after the myrrh has been applied, and 
then apply a poultice of elm and white pond lily, 
or if the ulcer be very irritable, the poultice may 
be made of elm powder alone. 

Constitutional Treatment. — A dose of composi- 
tion to be taken three or four times a day ; from 
three to five compound lobelia pills, at bed time, 
and occasionally a dose of No. 6, after meals. 
Besides the above treatment, a full course of medi- 
cine should be administered once a week. This 
treatment will, in most cases, not only give relief, 
but by improving the general health, the parts 
will become in a healthy condition, and the ulcer 
can be healed with perfect safety. 

In procuring myrrh, be careful to get the Turkey 
Myrrh, and not what is called the India myrrh, 
as both are in the market. When of good quality, 
it is reddish-yellow, and translucent; of a strong, 
peculiar and somewhat fragrant ordor, and a bitter 
aromatic taste. Myrrh is actively tonic, some- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 123 



what stimulant, and possessed, in a high degree, 
antiseptic properties. (For further propertied see 
article on myrrh.) 

The following poultice from "Comfort's Prac- 
tice" we would recommend: "Lobelia powder, with 
an equal quantity of slippery elm, wet with warm 
water, constitutes the most efficient form of poul- 
tice that can be applied in local inflammation, such 
as attends biles, felons, &c. 

HYDROPHOBIA. 

This much dreaded and not unfrequently fatal 
disease seems to call for speedy and reliable treat- 
ment ; and that which can be easily and quickly 
obtained, and is most reliable, has the preference 
in all emergencies. When the disease becomes 
seated in the system, there is but little hope of 
effecting a cure by any medical treatment. "There- 
fore when an individual has been bitten by a rabid 
animal, the most prompt measures should be used 
to prevent the absorption of the poison which may 
have been deposited in the wound." Dr. J. W. 
Comfort says, "The most important preventive 
means used are cutting out the parts that are bit- 
ten, or burning with red-hot iron or caustic pot- 
ash." The third preparation of lobelia is recom- 
mended as a most efficient remedy in all cases of 
hydrophobia, to be given in tablespoonful doses, 
and repeated frequently ; also injections of lobelia 



124 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

should be administered to relax the system. 
Lobelia should be employed as a relaxative in 
hydrophobia, even when other remedies are used. 
We give the following : 

R. C. S., of Montgomery Co., Pa., recently pub- 
lished a receipt which he has himself had occasion 
to use. It is also recommended by a physician of 
high standing, in Philadelphia. 

Take elecampane root, one and a-half ounces, 
add one pint new milk, and boil down to one-half 
pint. Take this at one dose in the morning, fast- 
ing until noon, or taking at most, but light refresh- 
ment. Repeat on the second morning, taking two 
ounces of the root ; omit one morning, then repeat 
as before. The wound should be immediately 
washed in warm water with salt, and burnt with 
caustic potash. He says this is known as the 
Goodman remedy, and that by its use, the con- 
sequences of hydrophobia may be effectually 
prevented. 

note. — Dr. Comfort also recommends the above 
as a local remedy, but urges the use of thorough 
constitutional treatment, with a view to assist the 
constitution to expel the poison from the system, 
in case there should be a portion of it absorbed. 

Another Remedy for Hydrophobia. — "Take 
lobelia inflata (green herb) two pounds ; good vin- 
egar, one gallon. Bruise the lobelia in a mortar, 
pour on the vinegar, and digest ten days in the 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 125 

hot sun, stirring it occasionally. Then press out 
tlu' liquid and strain for use. Of this preparation, 
take first a quantity sufficient to produce consid- 
erable nausea, and as often as once a day a suffi- 
cient quantity to produce vomiting to the extent 
of from three to four motions. In conjunction 
with this, take valerian and sculcap, equal parts; 
two ounces scalded in one pint of water, and of 
this take a tablespoonful every three hours. Also 
use the lobelia preparation, externally, sponging 
the whole body with it twice a day. This treat- 
ment to be strictly followed for six days. After 
this, use the external application once a clay for 
six days more, and during this time, the medi- 
cine given inwardly, to be taken less frequently. 
On the third week the treatment is still more 
modified. 

"In conclusion, we add, that we think this treat- 
ment can safely be relied upon as a certain preven- 
tive or cure of this dreadful malady. 

"We wish here to mention the importance of 
always preparing the lobelia for this purpose, in 
vinegar, instead of spirits, as the former is a very 
good prophylactic itself against the disease." — 
Botanic Medical Reformer. 

WOUNDS, CUTS AND BRUISES. 

The air should be immediately excluded from a 
fresh wound or cut. A cloth wet with tepid water 



120 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

(not cold) bound on without removing the blood, 
and kept saturated with pure rye whiskey or No. 
6, applied warm, is the best remedy known. It* 
the wound should be about the eye, use the 
whiskey, as the No. 6 would be too hot and irri- 
tating, if a portion should go in the eye. 

The water dressing, often proves sufficient for 
slight bruises. Wormwood, stewed in vinegar, 
salt and vinegar, and bathed with almost any kind 
of stimulating linament is a good remedy. The 
immediate application of the galvanic battery is a 
speedy cure for bruises. 

SPRAIXS. 

We would recommend the use of the galvanic 
battery as a safe and simple cure for sprains, even 
of long standing. It proves beneficial when other 
means have failed. The steam or vapor bath is 
also an excellent remedy, and can always be 
applied, whereas a battery is not always at hand. 
Stimulating linament must also be applied. 

TAPE WORM. 

SIMPLE BUT EFFECTUAL REMEDY. 

From the Universal Eeceipt Book of Dr. Chase, 
of Ann Arbor, Michigan. This very annoying 
and distressing w T orm has been removed by taking 
two ounce doses of common pumpkin seeds, pul- 
verized, and repeated every four or five hours, for 



Tin: FAMILY PHYSICIAN, 127 

four or live days. Spirits of turpentine, also in 
doses of one-half to two ounces, with castor oil, 
have proved very effectual ; the root of the male 
fern, valerian, bark of the pomegranate root, &c, 
have been used with success. But my chief object 
in speaking upon this subject, is to give the suc- 
cesses of Drs. Beach, of New York, and Dowler, 
of Bea^dstown, 111., from their singularity and 
perfect eradication of the worm, in both cases : 
The first is from "Beach's American Practice, and 
Family Physician," a large work, of three vol- 
umes, costing twenty dollars, consequently not 
generally circulated ; whilst the latter is taken 
from the "Eclectic Medical and College Journal," 
of Cincinnati, and therefore only taken by physi- 
cians of that school. The last was first published 
by the "New Orleans Medical and Surgical Jour- 
nal." First then, Dr. Beach, says : 

"The symptoms of a tape worm, as related me 
by Miss Dumouline, who had suffered with it for 
twenty-five years, are in substance, as follows : It 
commenced at the age of ten, and afflicted her to 
the age of thirty-five. The worm often made her 
distressingly sick at her stomach ; she would some- 
times vomit blood and be taken suddenly ill, and 
occasionally while walking, it caused symptoms of 
many other diseases, great wasting of the flesh, 
&c. Her appetite was very capricious, being at 
times good, and then poor for months, during 



128 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

which time her symptoms were much aggravated; 
sickness, vomiting, great pain in the chest, stomach 
and side, motion in the stomach, and also in the 
bowels, with pain, a sense of fullness or swelling, 
and beating or throbbing in the same, dizziness, 
heaviness of the eyes ; and she was altogether so 
miserable that she feared it would destroy her. 
When she laced or wore anything tight, it pro- 
duced great distress. The worm appeared to rise 
up in her throat and sicken her. Her general 
health was very bad. At intervals, generally some 
time after taking medicine, pieces of the worm 
would pass from the bowels, often as many as forty 
during the day, all alive, and would swim in water. 
Treatment. — "Miss Dumouline stated that she 
had employed twenty physicians, at different per- 
iods, and taken a hundred different kinds of med- 
icine without expelling the worm. She had taken 
spirits of turpentine, but could not retain it upon 
the stomach. Cowage stripped from the pod, a 
small teaspoonful three times a day, to be taken, 
fasting, in a little arrow-root jelly ; then occasion- 
ly a purgative of mandrake. In connection with 
this, I directed her to eat freely of garlic, and com- 
mon fine salt. I gave these under the belief that 
each article possessed vermifuge properties, with- 
out ever having administered them for the tape 
worm. After having taken them for some time, 
all her unfavorable symptoms ceased, and subse- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 12!) 

quently the remaining portion of the worm, passed 
lifeless from her, — an unprecedented circumstance. 

"She immediately recovered, and has since 
retained her health, and there is no evidence that 
there is any remaining. The patient stated that 
the worm which passed from her during the time 
she was afflicted with it, would fill a peck measure 
and reach one mile in length. Her relief and 
gratitude may be better imagined than described. 
I have a portion of this worm in my possession. 
When once the tape worm begins to pass the bowels, 
care must be taken not to break it off, for it will 
then grow again — it has this peculiar property." 

Secondly, Dr. Dowler, says : "The subject of 
this notice is a daughter of Mr. E. Fish, of Beards- 
town, 111., about six years old. The only point 
of special interest in the case consists in the 
efficiency of the remedy, to me wholly new, and 
accidently brought to my notice, which was used 
in its treatment. 

"I was treating a brother of this patient ; a part 
of my prescription for whom was, as a drink, the 
mucilage of elm bark, made by putting pieces of 
the solid bark into water. The girl was seen to 
be frequently eating portions of the bark during 
the day ; the next morning after which, upon my 
visiting the boy, the mother, with much anxiety, 
showed me a vessel containing something that had 
that morning passed the girl's bowels, with bits 

(9) 



130 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

of the elm bark, enveloped in mucilage, which, 
upon examination, proved to be about three feet 
of tape worm. As I supposed the passage of the 
worm was accidental, and had occurred from the 
looseness caused by the bark, I proceeded to pre- 
scribe, what I supposed a much more potent 
anthelmintic, a large dose of turpentine and castor 
oil. The turpentine and oil were given several 
times during the three consecutive days, causing 
pretty active purging, but with no appearance of 
any portions of the worm. The girl being slender, 
and of irritable temperament, I was forced to desist 
from further active medications ; and partly to 
allay irritation of the bowels, and partly to test the 
influence of the bark on the worm, I directed that 
she should resume the use of the bark as before, 
by chewing and swallowing in moderate quantities. 
"On visiting her the succeeding morning, I was 
shown portions of the worm, mostly in separate 
joints, that had been passed over night. Feeling 
now some confidence in the anthelmintic powers of 
the elm bark, I directed the continued use of it, 
in the solid form as before, while there should be 
any portions of the worm passing. In my daily 
calls ibr some days, I had the satisfaction to learn 
that portions of the worm continued to pass, from 
day to day, and sometimes several times a day. 

"I now ceased to visit my little patient, intend- 
ing only an occasional visit ; but my confidence 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN 131 

in the efficacy of the elm bark being so well estab- 
lished, I advised its use to be continued for even 
two or three days after any portions of the worm 
should be seen in the evacuations. The portions 
of the worm expelled, even the separate joints, 
were alive, showing more or less motion ; a sense 
of their presence in the rectum, from their action, 
seemed to urge the patient to go to stool for their 
removal. 

"Having given direction for the links or joints 
to be counted, care was taken to do so, by the 
mother, and from my notes of the case, I find that 
during about seven weeks of the intervening time, 
there had been expelled, by estimate, (taking the 
average length of the joints,) about forty-five feet 
of worm. At this time there had been no por- 
tions of the worm passed for two weeks, during 
which time the use of the bark had been omitted. 
The head of the worm, with about fifteen inches 
of the body attached, had been expelled! But 
thinking that all portions of the worm or worms 
might not have been removed, I advised that the 
patient should resume the use of the bark. Very 
soon the next day, after doing so, further portions 
commenced coming away, among them one about 
six feet long, tapering to a thread-like termination. 

"The next time I took notes of the case, my 
estimate of the entire length of the worm that had 
been expelled, footed up one hundred and thirty- 



132 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

fivefeet, whether one or more worms I am unable 
to say, as in the portions I saw, there were a head 
and tail of what I supposed one worm. Since the 
last estimate there have been joints occasionally 
evacuated. 

"This patient, when first treated, was thin in 
flesh — had been growing so for some two years — 
attended with the usual nervous symptoms, start- 
ing out of sleep, variable appetite, etc., but with 
no great departure from good health. 

"As to the influence of this very bland agent in 
the clislodgment of the tape worm, in this case, I 
think there can be no doubt, whatever may be the 
theory of its action. 

"The passage of portions of the worm, so prompt- 
ly, on the use of the bark, and the ceasing to do 
so on the discontinuance of its use, even while 
active purgative anthelmintics were used, leave no 
room to doubt its effectiveness in at least this case, 
as a worm expelling agent. 

"It seems probably that the bark, with its thick 
mucilage, so interposes between the animal and 
the inner surface of the bowels, as to prevent its 
lateral grasp on the surface, in consequence of 
which it is compelled to yield to the force natur- 
ally operating, and is carried out with the dis- 
charges. But as my object was simply to state 
the practical facts in this case, I will offer no 
further reflections." 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN, 183 

WORMS IN THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 

"Many of the diseases with which children arc, 
afflicted are attributed to worms, and in many 
cases when the worms do not exist; and sometimes 
injury is done to the patient in trying to destroy 
them. 

"The difficulty of ascertaining whether a child 
that is sick has worms should occasion no embarass- 
ment with regard to the treatment to be pursued. 
The stomach and bowels being disordered, the indi- 
cations for the treatment will be the same, whether 
the patient be effected with worms or not. Give 
composition powder to warm the stomach, a tea of 
No. 3, to remove the canker, and the bitters, or 
either of the articles described under No 4, to cor- 
rect the bile. If they are bad, give a course of 
medicine, and give the bitters. When the symp- 
toms are nervous, give the nerve powder. Injec- 
tions should be frequently given. If there is 
danger of mortification, make use of No. 6, both 
in medicines given and in injections. Composition 
given in luke-warm water or in strong bayberry, 
or sumac tea, together with small doses of the 
tincture of lobelia, repeated every two or three 
hours, will, in many instances, remove all symp- 
toms supposed to be occasioned by worms. 

"Milk, boiled with a portion of tansy, may be 
used to restore digestion ; and sometimes it will 



134 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

cause the expulsion of worms from the bowels.'' — 
Comfort's Practice. 

PILES. 

Remedies. — The continued use of compound 
lobelia pills, from two to five, as the case may 
require, taken four times a day ; together with 
British oil, from ten to twenty drops, two or three 
times a day; injections also, composed of a tea 
made of witch-hazel leaves, containing lobelia, 
either of the tincture or a strong tea of the herb; 
if the tincture is used, take from a-haif to a tea- 
spoonful ; and a-half teaspoonful of British oil. If 
the first enema move the bowels, repeat it in 
smaller quantity — say one gill taken at bed-time, 
and retained. This treatment in connection with 
the sitz bath every morning, will cure the most 
obstinate case of piles. Whatever is good to pro- 
mote digestion and regulate the bowels, is good 
for piles. 

DISEASE OF THE KIDNEYS. 

Stranguary — Retention. — "Stranguary is in 
almost every instance associated with constitutional 
disease," and is liable to occur at any period of life. 
Drawing blisters will often occasion stranguary. 

Treatment. — Warm water injected into the 
bladder with an ordinary syringe, will, in most 
cases, give immediate relief. Infants may be 
relieved by a warm hip bath. Injections to the 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN, 135 

bowels, containing a portion of lobelia, — say hall' a 
fceaspoonful of tincture, in composition tea, will be 
found beneficial. 

In all cases where the general health is derang- 
ed, a course of medicine is required, followed by 
the use of flax-seed or watermelon-seed tea, or a 
tea made of parsley or scabious, and occasionally 
small doses of the tincture of lobelia. 

A poultice of raw onions, crushed, and applied 
warm over the lower part of the body is of great 
importance, and has been known to give almost 
immediate relief. 

Scabious tea, sweetened with honey, affords 
almost instant relief in many cases. 

Stranguary, caused by piles, can be speedily 
removed by injections of witch-hazel, recommend- 
ed in the treatment of piles. 

Retention of urine will, in most cases, yield to 
the above treatment. In all diseases of the kid- 
neys or bladder, either constitutional or acute, 
Lobelia will be found to be the most effectual rem- 
edy that can be employed. 

The free use of the compound lobelia pills will 
be found very beneficial in these diseases. 

DISEASE OF THE LIVER. 

Causes. — "Inflammation of the liver may be 
induced by blows or other injuries in the region of 
the liver; a sudden check to perspiration after 



136 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

violent, fatiguing exercise; by gall stones, which 
are hardened secretions, formed in the gall blad- 
der, and found in the ducts ; or it may be produced 
by the same influence that produces intermittent 
or remittent fever. 

Treatment. — "Acute inflammation of the liver 
requires the same general course of treatment as 
pleurisy, or inflammation of the lungs, a full course 
of medicine must be given early in the disease, 
and repeated daily if the symptoms be violent, 
until a crisis be effected. If the patient cannot 
sit up, place hot bricks wrapped in clamp cloths 
around the body, in place of the vapor bath. Eelax 
the system by broken doses of lobelia; give injec- 
tions to relieve the bowels and to equalize the 
circulation. Eetching and vomiting, although 
harassing to the patient, are nevertheless often 
beneficial in assisting the liver to relieve itself of 
stagnant blood, and vitiated bile. 

"Stimulants should be used freely in the advanc- 
ed stages of the disease. Capsicum tea is the best 
stimulant, and if the skin be dry, add lobelia 
powder or tincture. Apply a warm poultice to 
the affected side, with a hot brick to keep it warm ; 
or cloths wrung out of hot water, and applied as 
hot as can be borne." 

DYSPEPSIA— INDIGESTION. 

Dyspepsia is sometimes a consequent of original 
feebleness of constitution, but is produced by var- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 1:57 

ions causes. Exposure to cold or dampness is a 
common cause. The inordinate use of tobacco is 
a fruitful source of dyspepsia. It causes imbecil- 
ity of mind, and in some instances melancholy. 
The long continued use of cathartics, anodynes, 
sedentary habits, unwholesome food, over-eating, 
&c, are among the many causes of dyspepsia. 

The same general treatment given for liver com- 
plaint will apply for dyspepsia and all similar 
diseases. 

APOPLEXY, PARALYSIS, EPILEPSY, &c. 

Remedies. — "The third preparation of lobelia, 
brown lobelia tea, stimulating linaments, and warm 
applications to the feet ; injections containing brown 
lobelia or third preparation, keeping the head 
elevated and bathed with some kind of spirits, are 
the remedies best adapted to the cure of apoplexy, 
palsy, &c. But where the effusion of blood into 
the brain has taken place, medical treatment will 
be of little avail." 

INFANTILE CONVULSIONS. 

The various preparations of lobelia and the vapor 
bath are most to be relied upon. When a child 
has symptoms of approaching spasms, such as 
twitching of the muscles and fever, an emetic 
should be given at once, and will prove the surest 
preventive to an attack. 



138 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

JAUNDICE. 

The most prominent symptoms in this complaint 
are yellowness of the skin and whites of the eyes ; 
loss of appetite ; bad tastes in the mouth ; costive 
bowels, &c. The color in jaundice may vary from 
a light yellow to deep green and almost black, 
sometimes confined to the face and neck, but some- 
times over the whole body and limbs. 

Jaundice has occasionally been brought on by 
mental causes, as severe fright, intense study, grief, 
&c. Sometimes it is occasioned by gall stones 
being lodged in the gall ducts ; these have been 
removed in many instances by the use of emetics ; 
the muscular tissues being relaxed by the influence 
of lobelia, will prove the surest means of removing 
obstructions, either in the gall ducts or liver. 

Harlem oil has been used with good success in 
some cases. Most cases of jaundice are cured 
under a persevering botanic treatment. 

WHOOPING COUGH. 

This disease is more or less protracted in dura- 
tion. In some instances it may be shortened by 
medicine ; in other cases it is prolonged much 
beyond the usual period, however judiciously 
treated. "It is seldom fatal except under unfav- 
orable circumstances." 

Treatment. — When the disease is aggravated 
by cold, or becomes violent, the vapor bath should 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. L39 

be employed ; also emetics, enemas, and proper 
intermediate treatment. In all cases the free use 
of assafcedita, either in the form of tincture or 
pills ; also a preparation of bay rum and tincture 
of lobelia, made by adding two ounces of tincture 
of lobelia to one pint of bay rum; dose, a tea- 
spoonful three times a da v. 

The tincture of lobelia alone is very good to ease 
the coughing. 

DIPTHERIA. 

In bad cases give small doses of No. 6, or the 
third preparation of lobelia about every half hour ; 
and bind a piece of fat bacon on the outside; and 
in addition to this nse the following wash, with 
which the throat must be frequently swabbed or 
gargled : To one-half pint of strong sage tea, add 
an even teaspoonful of salt; an even teaspoonful of 
cayenne, one gill of good cider vinegar, and a piece 
of alum about the size of a hickory nut. 

In mild cases the gargle will generally prove 
sufficient of itself, or with the addition of a little 
constitutional treatment. 

The gargle given above is also good in scarlet 
fever or putrid sore throat. 

SICK HEADACHE. 

"When a patient can obtain a few hours sleep, 
the headache is generally cured for the time, 



140 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

whether they have or have not taken medicine 
previously. 

u Bitter tonics should be taken once or twice a 
day, especially after dinner. Wormwood, golden 
seal, centaury, balmony, or almost any combina- 
tion of bitters may be employed. 

u Alkaline Bitters. — Take a handful of worm- 
wood and a tablespoonful of hickory ashes, pour 
on a pint of boiling water ; a wineglassful to be 
taken after meals, cold. This is applicable to 
cases of heartburn or sour eructations. 

"Salt and vinegar sometimes rectifies a dis- 
ordered condition of the stomach, and restores 
digestion. In these cases patients have an inclin- 
ation for acids. 

"Costiveness almost universally attends sick 
headache. The majority of the persons take pur- 
gative medicine to remove it, which leaves the 
bowels in a worse and weaker condition than they 
were before ; the costiveness continues and more 
physic is taken ; and in this way the digestive 
powers become weakened to such a degree that a 
natural passage from the bowels is seldom procured. 

"Capsicum, taken freely at meals, or immedi- 
ately after, will stimulate the action of the bowels, 
and, in many cases of constipation, will be suffi- 
cient to overcome it. 

"Patients subject to attacks of sick headache 
should use the precaution to dress very warmly 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 1 II 

whenever they ride out in cold or damp weather." 
— Comfort's Practice. 

DISEASE OF THE HEART. 

"Thickening of the walls of the heart is not 
always to be considered a disease; as in many 
instances it is designed to enable the heart by the 
greater developement of its muscular fibers, to 
force the blood through its natural channels when 
there is an unnatural impediment to its free 
circulation. 

"Dilatation of the heart is caused by debility, 
and requires that the tone of the system be 
strengthened and increased. 

"In all cases of disease of the heart, excesses of 
every kind should be avoided. Quietness of mind 
and body, a strict attention to diet and keeping 
the body comfortably warm, and the use of reme- 
dies that tend to sustain a healthy state of the 
system, are very important. The means to be 
employed are, the warm foot bath, the vapor bath, 
pure stimulants, injections, emetics, friction of the 
surface, and the continued use of lobelia in broken 
doses." 

Avoid exposing the feet to dampness; also avoid 
over eating, drinking or exercise. 

NEURALGIA. 

Remedies. — "Hot applications ; stimulating lin- 
ament ; oiled silk; Granvill's Lotion ; vapor bath ; 



142 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

lobelia, either brown lobelia tea, or third prepara- 
tion ; warm tea to promote perspiration. In some 
3S a course of medicine will afford prompt re- 
lief; in other cases the galvanic battery will prove 
highly beneficial."' 

DROPSICAL AFFECTIONS. 

Remedies. — "Compound lobelia pills ; oil of 
juniper ; mustard seed ; juniper berries ; bicarbon- 
ate of potash ; scabious ; bitter root; prickly a 
cayenne ; vapor bath ; wet sheet packings : wet 
dressings on the parts affected, covered with c 
silk; and in deeply seared cases, courses of medi- 
cine. 'When dropsy is occasioned by organic 
disease of the heart, or of the liver, it is rai 
cured by any kind of treatment." 

FAIXTIXG. 

Remedies. — "Place the head on a level with or 
lower than the body, throw cold water in the face, 
and allow the patient fresh air. As soon as the 
patient can swallow, give stimulating drink, and 
apply spirits of hartshorn, camphor, or smelling 
salts to the nose, and avoid a close room." 

PLEURISY. 

Remedies. — "Hot applications to the side, vapor 
bath, lobelia emetics, broken doses of lobelia, cap- 
sicum, composition, or any stimulating herb te 
and hot poultices." 






THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 148 

QUINSY. 



Remedies. — "Gargling the throat with cold 
water or vinegar ; and before matter is formed, 
brown lobelia tea in nauseating doses ; wet dress- 
ings to the throat, and warm applications to the 
feet. In severe cases, injections containing brown 
lobelia." 

STROKE OF THE SUN. 

''The third preparation of lobelia, or other active 
stimulant given internally, dash cold water on the 
head and face, and bath the surface with spirits of 
camphor, hartshorn, or some kind of alcoholic 
liquor." 

RHEUMATISM. 

Treatment of Acute or Inflammatory Rheuma- 
tism. — "Courses of medicine constitute the most 
effectual means for the cure of rheumatism, and 
should be repeated daily, or less frequently, as 
the case may demand. The more fully the sys- 
tem is relaxed by lobelia, the more effectual will 
be the treatment. When not convenient to give 
the vapor bath, lobelia emetics may be adminis- 
tered without." Warm bricks wrapped in damp 
cloths, placed around the patient, will perhaps be 
better than to aggravate the inflamed parts by 
getting out of bed, and too frequently changing 
the clothing. 

Let the patient drink freely of cayenne and bay- 



144 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAX. 

berry tea, or composition, and broken doses of 
lobelia. The compound lobelia fills are beneficial 
in rheumatism ; from two to five may be taken 
every hour or two, as the case may require. Rheu- 
matism often requires perseverance in the treat- 
ment, especially when accompanied by liver 
complaint. 

Treatment of Chronic Rheumatism. — As a gen- 
eral rule, chronic rheumatism does not demand 
courses of medicine, except at intervals of from 
one to three or four weeks. Among the most 
efficient remedies, besides courses of medicine, and 
vapor and shower baths, are the compound lobelia 
pills, No. 3, or anti-canker pills, cayenne, guiacum, 
white mustard seed, turpentine, salt and brandy. 
While some of these remedies will agree best with 
some patients, others will find more benefit from 
the other ones. 

"Warm clothing ; hot salt-water baths ; warm 
frictions with the hand, horse hair mitts, or the 
flesh-brush, and stimulating linaments are adapted 
to the cure of chronic rheumatism." 

BLEEDING FROM THE LUNGS. 

In cases of slight bleeding, placing the feet in 
warm water, and drinking freely of hot composi- 
tion tea, adding small portions, of lobelia, may be 
sufficient to check the bleeding. Where this is 
insufficient, a full course of medicine should be 



THE FAMILY 1'IIVSICIAN 1 tf) 

administered. The efforts to vomit will not increase 

the determination of blood to the lungs, except, 
momentarily. Stimulating injections are espe- 
cially beneficial. Keep the patient quiet and avoid 
conversation. 

In cases of deep consumption, if the patient is 
very weak, it is not best to use any treatment 
that calls for much exertion, but be allowed to 
remain perfectly quiet, and apply warmth by 
means of hot bricks wrapped in damp cloths, or by 
bottles of hot water. 

One of the best internal remedies is a strong 
decoction of some vegetable astringent that con- 
tains a large portion of gallic acid; witch hazel 
leaves, and the leaves and berries of upland sumac, 
contain gallic acid, and should be preferred to 
either bay berry or any other of the astringents in 
Buch cases. Persons liable to attacks of hemor- 
rhage of the lungs, will, in almost every instance, 
prevent bleeding, by taking an emetic or full course 
of medicine as soon as the symptoms indicate an 
attack. It is also the most effectual means for 
restoring the general health, and thus effecting a 
permanent cure. An emetic is the best ' remedy 
known for all kinds of hemorrhage. 

CROUP. 

This disease is peculiar to children only, and is 
of two kinds, namely : Membranous and spasmodic 

(10) 



140 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

croup. Symptoms. — Those of an ordinary cold 
may precede an attack of membranous croup sev- 
eral days. In the progress of the disease, the 
breathing becomes difficult, a hard shrill cough, 
pain and soreness in the front part of the throat, 
inflammation of the windpipe, attended with spasms 
of the musles of the throat, causing a peculiar rat- 
tling sound, are the characteristics of croup ; the 
face is swollen and red, eyes watery and dim, the 
skin is dry and hot, and pulse quick. Spasmodic 
croup comes on suddenly violent, and is unattend- 
ed with fever ; the cough is not of that peculiar 
sound as in membranous croup, and in some cases 
there is a total absence of cough. A loss of the 
voice occurs in either form of the disease when 
severe. Croup generally terminates fatally, unless 
checked in the early stage of the disease. 

Treatment. — The most reliable means used for 
the cure of croup are emetics, injections and the 
vapor bath. In mild cases, the tincture of lobelia, 
given in emetic doses, bathing the feet in warm 
water, injections and external appliances will 
remove the cause; and care as to diet, temperature, 
&c, will effect a cure. If the symptoms do not 
change favorably from the course of treatment, 
say in ten or fifteen minutes, apply the vapor 
bath, and give the third preparation of lobelia in 
strong bay berry tea; injections should be frequent- 
ly administered, always containing a portion of 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 1 17 

lobelia in almost any form, not only with a view 

to relieve the bowels, but more especially to excite 
an afflux of blood to the bowels, and in this way 

lesson a determination to the throat ; to effect this 
purpose they should be retained in the bowels tun 
or fifteen minutes, or even longer; no injury will 
arise if it should remain for hours. Under the 
influence of lobelia thus administered, free vomit- 
ing will most generally be produced. Broken 
doses of lobelia, either tincture, third preparation 
or lobelia tea should be taken at intervals of ten 
or fifteen minutes. ^Xo harm can be done from 
its free use. The system will become relaxed and 
the symptoms of croup diminish. The treatment 
should be continued as long as symptoms of croup 
remain, or until the case proves hopeless. Dr. 
Comfort asserts that "there are few cases of croup 
probably, which might not be cured by botanic 
remedies, if early and perseveringly applied. The 
lobelia strikes at the very root of the disease, and 
though patients may suffer under its influence, it 
will do more for them than any other medicine. 
In violent cases the lobelia may be given during 
the applications of the vapor bath. The more 
effectually the system becomes relaxed under its 
influence, the more certainty there will be of effect- 
ing a cure. When the system is relaxed under 
the influence of lobelia, the patient is usually 
thirsty, and if a child be allowed to take the breast 



148 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

freely, it may do harm by oppressing the stomach 
with food that it is not able to digest. It will 
therefore be more safe to give the child small por- 
tions of water frequently, or what is much better, 
composition, ginger or simple herb teas. 

External Applications. — In the first stages of 
croup, cotton, wet with camphor, whiskey or vin- 
egar, may be applied to the throat.; also water 
dressing, if properly applied, is very beneficial, 
but is sometimes more oppressive. A poultice 
composed of brown lobelia, pulverized, with a por- 
tion of elm powder, wet with warm water, or com- 
position tea, is beneficial. Two poultices should 
be made, so as to change them as often as the one 
applied becomes cool, being careful not to expose 
the throat to the air more than possible in the 
changing. It is important to protect the parts 
from the cold after poulticing, by bathing with 
stimulating linament and wearing flannel around 
the neck. Gargling the throat with a strong infu- 
sion of sage, with a portion of capsicum added, is 
very essential ; and when the throat cannot be 
gargled, as in cases of small children, the swab 
may be used, by tying a piece of fine sponge secure- 
ly on the end of a stick, or a piece of soft white 
cotton material may be used instead of the sponge ; 
by placing a small piece of smooth wood in the 
child's jaws, the swab can be used without difficul- 
ty, and great benefit is derived from this treatment. 



Till: FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 11!) 

Oases of croup are sometimes cured alter the 

symptoms have assumed an alarming character, 
indicative of a fatal termination. Dr. Chapman 
reports a ease to which he was called when the 
disease had continued three days without the symp- 
toms having been relieved. As a last resort, they 
placed the child in a vapor bath, and as soon as it 
began to sweat the symptoms were relieved. The 
child was kept in the bath three hours, and recov- 
ed. Dr. J. W. Comfort also mentions a case where 
a child nine months old took two ounces of the 
third preparation of lobelia, in the course of seven 
hours, and was cured ; when a milder course of 
treatment would very probably have failed. He 
remarks that "the free use of the third prepara- 
tion of lobelia and the continued application of 
the vapor bath, together with stimulating injec- 
tions, will be the most effectual means, where the 
powers of life are far exhausted." 

PRESERVATION OF THE EYES. 



The following we extract from a New York 
Medical Monthly, as worthy attention : "There is 
a tradition at least as old as the Talmud, that the 
eyes are strengthened by drawing the finger across 
the eyelids in a horizontal direction. Ex-Presi- 
dent Adams, who was affected with an obstruction 
of the tear passage, used this method to get rid of 
the accumulating fluid, and the ancient tradition 
was brought into greater notice by the example of 
the illustrious statesman. 



150 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

"The obsolete theory, that the anterior surface 
of the eye becoming flatter as age advances, U 
untrue, and therefore manipulations to restore 
what is not wanting, in an organ so delicate in 
structure that a rude push may be followed by 
perpetual darkness, should be avoided. 

"The delicate membranes of the eye are liable 
to be ruptured by blows, falls or other causes, and 
the lens, which is naturally clear as a crystal, 
becomes white and opaque. Cataract may be 
produced by merely interfering with the circula- 
tion of the vessels." 

Many persons with tolerably good eyesight 
resort to treatment for them which proves their 
ruin, when by letting them alone they might 
retain their eye sight for life. 

"The eyes are liable to injury from even a mod- 
erate pressure, as the following case will prove. 
A gentleman had been at a party of friends, when 
a person stopped suddenly behind him, and, cover- 
ing both eyes with his hands, wished him to guess 
who it was. The former, without speaking a word, 
endeavored to escape from the pressure, and when 
the eyelids were opened he was entirely bereft of 
sight. Although there w T as not the least appear- 
ance of injury, the sufferer remained hopelessly 
blind. 

"The popular notion that the eyes are preserv- 
ed by opening them every morning in a basin of 
water, is erroneous. Some of the worst cases of 
film on the surface of the eye have been witnessed 
in those who boasted of this practice. The secre- 
tion which lubricates the eye is partially soluble 
in water, and it is inconsistent with common sense 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 1">1 

to wash it away. When the secretion is vitiated 
by cold or other causes, quince Beed tea, or milk 
ami water, are preferable for ablution to water 
alone. Avoid eve waters, many of which contain 
lead, or there are ten chances to one that they 
will produce an incurable film. To make this 
clear, dissolve a little sugar of lead in water, and 
pour the solution in a wine-glass containing a solu- 
tion of water with common salt. When the fluids 
are mixed, a white precipitate of chloride of lead 
falls to the bottom of the glass. When eyewaters 
containing lead are used, the tears furnish salt, 
and the lead is precipitated. The transparent 
portion of the eye is sometimes extensively tattooed 
with this white leaden powder, and vision becomes 
indistinct, or even destroyed. 

"When the general health is robust, the organs 
of vision will endure a much greater amount of 
labor than when it is depressed, especially by men- 
tal disturbance. When they have become weak, 
much of their preservation depends on the proper 
management of light to which they are exposed. 
When the light is in excess it should be diminish- 
ed, and when it is deficent, labor should be dis- 
continued. The flame of a good oil lamp is more 
regular than that of gas or candles, and is there- 
fore to be preferred. By placing a shade of light 
blue tissue paper over the lamp the light is 
ameliorated, for artificial light contains a super- 
abundance of the yellow and red rays, but is defi- 
cient in the violent. By allowing it to pass 
through the bluish medium, it approaches nearer 
to the light of day, and is better adopted for con- 
tinued application of the organs of vision." 



152 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN . 

The weight of the whole matter is just this : 
"Let your eyes alone and they may serve you all 
your days." Should they become out of order, 
apply some simple remedy that you know to be 
harmless, and not risk living in darkness the rest 
of your days by using any eye water that you are 
acquainted with, or do not know of what it i.s 
composed. 

The following we can recommend as a very good 
wash for the eyes when any is needed. 

To one pint of soft water, add one teaspoonful 
of salt ; one fourth ounce of laudanum ; one gill of 
the expressed juice of plantain ; one gill of rye 
whiskey. If it should prove too strong, dilute 
with a little soft water, and always use it warm. 
Shake the bottle before using. Keep it corked 
tightly. 

Wakefullness in Disease is probably best for the 
Patient under many Circumstances. — "During 
sleep the force of the circulation of the blood is 
lessened; the power of the brain is lowered, and 
consequently obstructions in the capillary vessels 
will be more liable to occur then, than during the 
waking state. It may be that nature opposes 
sleep in order to prevent obstructions, and to carry 
on the recuperative actions. The stupefying of 
the brain with opium or other narcotics, arrests 
the curative action and impairs the vital functions. 
In many instances, patients laboring under an 
attack of pleurisy, will be unable to sleep during 
the active stage of the disease, and if they get to 
sleep, are awakened by a severe pain in the affect- 
ed side, in consequence of increased obstruction 
having occurred during the sleep. In acute rheu- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. L58 

matism, the moment the patient gets to Bleep, be 
Feels a darting pain and a jerk that arouses him, 

and in this way, sleep is prevented, and he is prob- 
ably benefitted by the inability to- sleep at the time 

"Croup, in most instances, comes on during 
sloop ; and epyleptic fits generally occur at night, 
after sleeping." — Medical Instructor. 

Much harm is frequently done to patients by 
arousing them from sleep to give medicine when 
in a weak condition, and especially if their disease 
causes them to be wakeful. Sleep is the restorer 
of nature, and when it comes on naturally, with- 
out having taken any narcotic to induce it, will 
do more good than even medicine. 

Give to the laws of life compatible circumstances 
and proper means, and they will carry us safely 
through life without a pang ; but if they are 
improper, and opposing nature, then the laws 
become embarassed, their harmony is disturbed 
and pain follows. 

HOT MEDICINE IN WARM WEATHER. 

"Any one who will try the experiment of taking 
a pure stimulant, either cayenne, ginger, or com- 
position powder, must be convinced of its benefit 
in giving the system power to bear excessive exter- 
nal heat as well as to resist cold. 

"Persons who are oppressed by the summer 
heat, will find great benefit by stirring some good 
ginger or cayenne in the water they drink. A 
teaspoonful of ginger, or half a teaspoonful of 
cayenne, or common red peppers ground, will be 
sufficient for a glass of water, — ice water may be 
used if preferred. These stimulants cannot do 



154 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

harm in any case; for unlike alcoholic stimulants, 
their use is not followed by debility ; and those 
who will make the trial, will find that they can 
better bear the external heat by their use, in what- 
ever employment they may be engaged. 

"Two parts of ginger and one part of cayenne, 
mixed with sugar, is to be preferred to either 
article alone." — Comfort's Medical Instructor. 

Persons working in the harvest field or any out- 
door employment will find themselves much better 
able to resist the heat of the sun if they will use 
these vegetable stimulants. 

CAUTION TO PARENTS, &G. 

'■'The Boston Traveler notices the death of a 
child in that city by convulsions caused by eating 
raisins. This is no uncommon occurrence. Dr. 
Dewees, in his w r ork on the physical and medical 
treatment of children (a book which parents should 
own), mentions the death of three children from 
the same cause, and remarks, 'that there is no 
stomach, unless it be that of the ostrich, that can 
master the skin of the raisin.' I recollect some 
time since, the death of a child in convulsions, 
caused by eating bits of bark and shreds of wool 
which it had picked up in creeping around the 
room on the carpet. Dried fruit, bark, cork or 
wool from the carpet or blanket, or any indiges- 
tible substances, in small quantities, cause much 
suffering, and, in considerable quantities, is almost 
certain, by obstructing the passage of the bowels, 
to produce convulsions and death." — Philadelphia 
T. M. Journal. 

The above confirms an instance in my own 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 155 

family. One of my children, abou I two years of 

»ige, was playing on the floor apparently well ; 
in a few hours was taken with a violent lever, 
which continued until midnight, with great rest- 
lessness, when she was seized with a hard convul- 
sion, which I treated as follows : As soon as warm 
water could be procured, I took a small quantity, 
adding a teaspoonful of the tincture of lobelia, 
administered it by injection ; the dose was re- 
peated in ten or fifteen minutes, when free vom- 
iting w r as produced, the child throwing up a soft 
woolen ball two inches in diameter. The symp- 
toms subsided and the following morning the child 
was about and seemed almost as well as ever. The 
ball had been attached to a string belonging to a 
hood, and had been given to the child to play 
with, and by becoming detached and moistened 
in the child's mouth, was easily swallowed ; and 
would have caused death if not expelled from the 
stomach ; hence the importance of having a safe 
and reliable remedy in every family, and presence 
of mind and perseverence is often all that is requir- 
ed in addition. 

Serious results very frequently arise from swal- 
lowing pins, and more especially with children. 
If not proving fatal, there is a liability of injuring 
internal organs, from the effects of which persons 
may suffer for a number of years. In the summer 
1863, a little grandchild of mine, about eighteen 
months old, accidentally swallowed a pin ; but 
little inconvenience was observed for twenty-four 
hours ; at the end of that time the child became 
restless and feverish ; the day following, there was 
total inability to discharge urine, which produced 



1-3G THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

much suffering. The following mode of treatment 
was pursued, with the desired effect : When the 
first symptoms became apparent, I administered 
injections, composed of the third preparation of 
lobelia — one-half teaspoonful, in a half teacupful 
of bayberry tea, adding a half teaspoonful of sweet 
oil, (lard, melted, would answer as well ;) this gave 
relief and the fever subsided, but returned in about 
twelve hours ; another injection was given of the 
same preparation, when the pin passed the bowels, 
it being quite large, slightly bent and corroded. 
She speedily recovered, but from subsequent slight 
derangements, would experience difficulty in pass- 
ing urine, until the following summer when she 
had a severe attack of dysentery ; this was soon 
arrested ; but the patient suffered from urinary 
derangement ; for this I administered a sitz bath 
of warm water, above the hips, remaining in from 
ten to fifteen minutes, and applied poultices com- 
posed of onions, sliced and put into a flannel bag, 
adding a teaspoonful of lard, and then crushed to 
the consistency of a poultice, and applied warm. 
(This may be repeated as often as the case demands.) 
This treatment in connection with internal reme- 
dies (see article on dysentery) performed a perma- 
nent cure. 

Such cases require immediate attention, but 
nature, with the assistance of the stimulating med- 
icines, triumphed, by loosening or relaxing the 
tissues and removing obstructions. 

Another Case. — The following was related to 
me by the mother of a child who died from the 
effects of swallowing a bean, after which he lived 
for several months, having all symptoms of con- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. L57 

sumption with the exception of retaining a strong 
clear voice. His case baffled the skill of several 
physicians ; bat upon examination after death, it 
was found that a large bean had lodged in the 
stomach and there sprouted, which finally caused 
death. 

DISEASE PRODUCED BY SLEEPING TOGETHER. 

During the night there is considerable exhala- 
tion from our bodies, and at the same time we 
absorb a large quantity of the vapors of the sur- 
rounding air. Two healthy young children sleep- 
ing together will mutually give and receive healthy 
exhalations ; but an old, weak person near a child 
will, in exchange for health, only return weakness. 
A sick mother near her daughter communicates 
sickly emanations to her ; if the mother has a 
cough of long duration, the daughter will, at some 
time, also cough and suffer by it ; if the mother 
has pulmonary consumption, it will be ultimately 
communicated to her child. It is known that the 
bed of a consumptive is a powerful and sure 
source of cantagion, as well for men as for women, 
and the more so for young persons. Parents and 
friends ought to oppose as much as in their power 
the sleeping together of old and young persons, of 
the sick and of the healthy. Another reason ought 
to forbid every mother or nurse keeping small 
children with them in bed ; notwithstanding the 
advice of prudence, no year passes that we do not 
hear of a new involuntary infanticide. A baby, 
full of life, health and vigor in the evening, is 
found dead the next morning, suffocated by its 
parents or nurse. 



158 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAX. 

The following letter is from the Philadelphia 
Thomsonian Medical Journal. — J. W. Comfoet, 
M. D. — Dear Sir: Believing it to be the duty 
of every one, whether they be of the medical pro- 
fession or not, to give any information or to relate 
any thing that comes to their knowledge which 
may be of use to man, I wish to relate an instance 
in which I experienced the most effective and 
immediate relief from the use of a very small dose 
of lobelia : While at the sea shore on a fishing 
excursion, I got stung with the fin of a fish in the 
joint of my little toe. It pained me badly at the 
time, and made me sick at the stomach ; but it was 
over in a few minutes and I paid no more atten- 
tion to it. Some three days afterwards my foot 
began to swell, and the swelling extended up my 
leg to the groin ; and although I soaked my foot 
in lye, and applied the best poultices I could get, 
the swelling continued, and swelled around my 
throat ; my jaws began to get stiff, and it was 
with difficulty I could speak — my head felt as 
though it had a set-screw around it. I tried every 
thing I could get, but could get no relief. Fortu- 
nately, a doctor with whom you are acquainted, 
but whose name I regret I have forgotten, came 
to the house. The only medicine he had was a 
small vial of tincture of lobelia ; he gave me about 
two teaspoonfuls. It had the effect to make me 
vomit ; when, strange to say, the rigidness of my 
muscles gave way immediately, my tongue became 
loose, and I was able to speak without difficulty. 
The next morning, there was a small discharge 
from the wound, and the doctor said I was out of 
danger. By constant applications of warm poul- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. L59 

tiees, made of bread and milk, and mixed with ;i 
tea made from the inner bark of Bassafraa root, a 

free diseharge was brought about; and in little 
over one week, I was able to put my foot to the 
ground. I had a bad foot around the wound, and 
over the top up to the ankle it was quite black. 
I believe now, that, if I had not obtained the relief 
the lobelia gave me, I should have had the lock- 
jaw and lost my life. 

Some years ago, I recollect to have read a crit- 
icism on Thomsonism, in which, amongst other 
things, it was said that an emetic would be given 
for a sore toe, at which we laughed ; but I little 
expected to have its good effects demonstrated 
upon myself. 

I consider this an extraordinary case. I have 
seen several cases of a different kind, I believe 
equally critical, and where the use of lobelia has 
had the like favorable effect ; but, perhaps, you 
are so conversant with those things that it is no 
interest to you to be made acquainted with them ; 
if you think otherwise, I should be happy to com- 
municate the facts to you. Kespectfully, 

[Sept. 20, 1853.] A. Pueves. 

The same journal relates the case of a boy who 
was thrown from a horse and seriously injured. 
Physicians were sent for, who insisted upon bleed- 
ing him ; but his father would not permit them to 
do so, although they declared his life could not 
be saved without. The father (by pressing open 
his mouth) gave him lobelia tincture and No. G. 
The physicians finally left, declaring he was kill- 
ing his son. However, the family persevered in 
giving the medicine, though it was with great 



1G0 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

difficulty that he could be administered, the boy's 
mind being in a deranged condition, and finally 
sent for Dr. Grrush, of Williamsport. He said the 
boy was in a very dangerous way, the brain being 
so much injured; but told the family he would try 
to do something for him. Every body that had 
seen him had given him over to die, believing 
that no medicine would ever restore him to health 
again. Even the family had become very much 
discouraged. 

"Dr. Grush gave him a course of medicine, which 
took him twelve hours. After the first course he 
could swallow and breathe freely. The doctor- 
stayed with him the next day, and every hour he 
gave him medicine. In three days he took him 
through another course. After the second course 
the young man could swallow some soup and drink 
tea ; his face was swollen and as black as a hat ; 
he still knew nothing, neither could he recognize 
any person ; then he began to talk loud and wild, 
and was very flighty." They met much opposi- 
tion, from outsiders, against their plan of treat- 
ment ; some saying they were cooking him ; others, 
that they were boiling or roasting him. 

"The doctor still continued to give him medi- 
cine, and in four days he gave him another course 
(and the last course), which took twelve hours, 
and removed all obstructions and opened all the 
outlets. Then his face returned to its natural 
form and size, and he could open his eyes, which 
had been shut during the whole time." Then 
there was rejoicing at the success of the medicine. 
The young man is now as well as he ever was, 
and does his father's work on the farm. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. H',1 

Remarks, — "Dr. Grush, in the treatment he 
pursued in the above case, evinced a degree of con- 
fidence in the Thomsonian practice, that go 
show that he comprehended its principles. And 
although it is the most efficient method, and per- 
fectly consistent with sound sense, there arc tew, 
probably, who could venture to administer a full 
course of medicine in a similar case. Some of the 
schools would denounce the use of emetics in such 
cases. But there have been some, even among 
the allopathic faculty who have recommended 
emetics after severe injuries, and among them the 
late Dr. George McClellan, of this city. He made 
it a practice to impress his students with the great 
importance of inducing vomiting in all cases 
where severe injuries were received soon after 
a meal, before the food had been digested and 
passed from the stomach. Whenever a severe 
injury has been inflicted upon the body, digestion 
at once ceases, whether the injury be a burn, 
or scald, or blow, or fall ; and undigested food in 
the stomach will occasion oppression ; and might 
even prevent reaction, and the patient die for the 
want of an emetic to relieve the stomach of its 
oppressive burden. Even in cases where the brain 
is seriously injured, soon after a full meal, Dr. 
McClellan contended for the necessity of giving a 
prompt emetic, and asserted that the act of vomit- 
ing would do no harm to the injured brain. The 
courage and perseverance of the father in resisting 
the doctors who were determined on having the 
boy bled ; and the course of treatment pursued 
by Dr. Grush, was alike creditable to both." 



(ii) 



162 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

CONNECTION BETWEEN MIND AND BODY. 

2 he best Minds are not produced by early Men- 
tal Culture. — Teachers of youth, in general, appear 
to think, that in exciting the mind, they are exer- 
cising something totally independent of the body, 
some mysterious entity, whose operations do not 
require any corporeal assistance. They endeavor 
to accelerate, to the utmost, the movements of an 
extremely delicate machine, while most unfortu- 
nately they are totally ignorant or regardless of 
its dependence on the body." In this way the 
body is not only injured, but the mind also. Our 
greatest and most intelligent men are, many of them, 
those who were left to wander at their own free- 
dom whilst children, instead of being caged up 
with a book in their hands. When the body has 
become fully and healthfully developed, then the 
mind is better able to develope itself, and will do 
so in most cases much more perfectly if it has not 
been overtaxed while it was yet unable to bear it, 
and its powers enfeebled by an unhealthy physical 
organization. Children should enjoy their child- 
hood — let them romp and laugh, and shout in the 
open air. Do not keep them penned up in the 
house when the weather is pleasant. Never check 
their innocent mirth, but rather encourage it. 
"Teach them to abhor lying, thieving, tale-bear- 
ing, oppression, cruelty, and every vice." But do 
not attempt to make prodigies of your children. 
Kejoice if they reach the age of six or seven years, 
with well formed bodies, good health, and no 
vicious tendencies, though they be at the same 
time ignorant of every letter of the alphabet. 
They will acquire just as important knowledge in 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN, 168 

constructing their little mill Jams in the brook, or 
in making a sled or cart, as is ever acquired al 

school. Both mind and body will he actively en- 
gaged in studying the great Book of Nature, 
which is the best book for him; and if he is per- 
mitted to go forth among the wonders of creation, 

he will gather instruction by the eve, the car, and 



all his senses 



BATHING IN THE HOT SEASON. 

People often expect too much of water ; and 
many persons, when once they get in the habit of 
bathing, do too much. In hot weather, bathing is 
very pleasant to the feelings, hence the thing is 
often overdone. The hotter the weather the more 
liability to harm, because the system then is not so 
rigorous as in cool or cold weather, and, conse- 
quently, not so well able to endure strong impres- 
sions of any kind. 

Ablutions merely sufficient for bodily cleanli- 
ness, with those who labor hard, is all that is use- 
ful or allowable. Many bathe too much, and 
thus weaken themselves. 

Farmers, and all laboring people, will find the 
foot bath at evening a most excellent thing. It 
promotes health and strength, and causes a refresh- 
ing sleep. The idea of cleanliness has also a most 
excellent effect on both body and mind. — Water 
('lire Journal. 

WARM WATER FOOT BATH. 

The proper mode of applying the foot bath is 
to have the water of an agreeable temperature, 
and about every two minutes add as much hot 



1G4 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

water as the patient can bear for the space of ten 
or twelve minutes, then rub the feet dry and bathe 
with whisky. 



MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF SOME OF THE 

MOST USEFUL ARTICLES USED IN THE 

PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. 

GINGER. 

" Ginger is a grateful stimulant and carmina- 
tive, and is often given in dyspepsia, flatulent 
cholic, and the feeble state of the alimentary canal 
attendant upon atonic gout. It is an excellent 
addition to bitter infusions and tonic powders, 
imparting to them an agreeable warming and cor- 
dial operation upon the stomach." — U. S. Dis- 
pensatory. 

VINEGAR. 

" The use of vinegar on food promotes digestion 
in particular conditions of the stomach. With 
the addition of salt and cayenne pepper it con- 
stitutes pepper sauce. This preparation is useful 
as an internal remedy in many cases of disease, 
and particularly so in some cases of fever, where 
the patient desires or craves acids. There are 
families who depend almost exclusively upon the 
internal use of a mixture of salt and vinegar in 
all cases of dysentery and bowel complaints. Al- 
though this is undoubtedly a valuable remedy, 
yet certainly not one to be relied upon exclusively 
in diarrhoea or dysentery. Pepper-sauce forms 
one of the best applications for the cure of ulcer- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN, l<i~> 

ated sore throat, so often attendant upon Bcarlet 
rever. The throat must be swabbed with the mix- 
ture and a dose occasionally administered. On 
many occasions, when patients have expressed a 

desire tor acid, I have directed them to take Btale 
wheat bread dipped in vinegar, and it has agreed 
well with the stomach in every case where I have 
recommended it. Within the past month a patient 
of mine ate freely of bread soaked in vinegar, and 
continued to take it three or four days, not only 
without receiving any injury from it, but, on the 
contrary, it was evidently of special benefit as a 
medicine. This patient was affected with a form 
of disease which would have been termed conges- 
tive fever by medical men in general. 

" Some dyspeptics find nothing to set so well on 
the stomach as bread and butter dipped in vinegar. 
Even in cases of sour stomach, vinegar or lemon 
juice has been found in some instances to suit the 
stomach better than alkalies. Vinegar, applied 
after caustic potash, will neutralize the caustic and 
prevent it penetrating deeper into the flesh. 

" Lemon Juice maybe used for the same pur- 
poses as vinegar in cases of sickness. Very often 
we find that a mixture of lemon juice and sugar, 
in the form of syrup, suits the stomach remarkably 
well in cases of disease, particularly in fever." — 
Comforts Practice. 

CIDEB. 

"Sound cider, more especially old bottled cider, 
has been used on many occasions of recovery from 
sickness with the best effects, especially in cases 
where patients had expressed a desire for it. 



1GG THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 



The best time for taking it is at or after dinner 
and supper. 

"A pound of the green, or half a pound of the 
dry burdock root, and a small root of horde- 
radish, all cut up fine and put to a gallon of good 
cider is a very healthy drink for those whom cider 
agrees with, and it is said to prove a powerful 
preventive to pestilential diseases. 

"The roots of burdock, parsley, and horse- 
radish, and mustard seed, simmered in good cider 
an hour or more is a good remedy in some ease.^ 
of dropsey. Iron w T ire put into sound cider forms 
a tonic that may be given with especial benefit in 
many cases of debility attended with extreme 
paleness of the countenance, evincing deficiency of 
red blood." — Comfort's Practice. 

SUGAR. 

"Sugar disagrees with many persons in con-e- 
q uence of its tendency to form acid in the stomach. 
There are conditions of the system, however, where 
sugar is a very important article, both as food and 
medicine, especially in long standing cases of 
scrofula, where the system is weak and emaciated. 
In these cases it will often prove highly beneficial 
by producing better chile and richer blood than 
can be produced by other kinds of food. It may 
be taken in the form of syrup, rock-candy, or 
loaf-sugar,, and eaten between the regular meals, 
provided the patient find it to relish well and oc- 
casion no unpleasant feelings/' — Comfort's Prac. 

MYRRH. 

Two varieties of myrrh are distinguished in 
the market — the India and the Turkey myrrh. 



I'll!'. FAMILY PHYSICIAN KIT 

There is a great difference in the quality of 
in vnh. That which comes from Turkey is of a 
brighter color and more free from impurities than 
the East India myrrh. When of good quality it 
is redish yellow and translucent, of a, strong, pe- 
culiar and somewhat fragrant odor, and a bitter 
aromatic taste. It is brittle and pulverizable, 
presenting, when broken, a shining surface, which 
in the larger masses is very irregular. 

Myrrh is actively tonic, somewhat stimulant, 
and possesses in a high degree antisepic proper - 
tics. It constitutes the most essential ingredient 
in Thomson's No. 6, or rhumatic drops. 

Myrrh has been employed internally with 
much benefit in chronic diarrhea and diseases of 
the lungs or chest, attended with a free expecto- 
ration and general debility. 

Myrrh may be taken in the form of pills, in- 
fusion, tincture, or the powder may be taken sus- 
pended in a liquid. 

To make Myrrh Pills. — Take a tablespoonful u( 
tinely pulverized myrrh, and of pulverized gum- 
arabic and loaf-sugar, each a large teaspoonful; 
rub these up with a quantity of water sufficient to 
form a paste, and make into pills. 

To make an Infusion of Myrrh. — Steep an even 
teaspoonful of pulverized myrrh in a teacup of boil- 
ing water, and add a large teaspoonful of sugar and 
a small portion of cinnamon. 

To make a Tincture of Myrrh.— "Put three 
ounces of powdered myrrh and a quart of alcohol 
or fourth-proof brandy into a stone jug, and boil 
half an hour in a kettle of water, or let it mace- 
rate several days in a warm place. 



168 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

"Myrrh, prepared in either of the forms above 
mentioned, is applicable to cases of general de- 
bility, accompanied by a relaxed condition of the 
bowels and an absence of fever. Dr. S.Thomson 
informs us that he has discovered it to be a valu- 
able remedy in what are called worm complaints 
in children for a child that can swallow pills. 

" The efficiency of Thomson's No. 6, and third 
preparation of lobelia, in preventing mortification 
in diseases of a malignant or putrid tendency, 
may be partly, at least, attributed to the myrrh 
contained in these preparations. 

" Applied to fresh wounds, the tincture of 
myrrh excites the healing action and lessens the 
liability to the occurrence of unhealthy infiama- 
tion. It is also a useful application in old sores, 
ulcerated sore throat, running from the ears, 
aphthous sore mouth, spongy gums, sore nipples, 
&c. The tincture of myrrh is also employed to 
promote the expoliation of bones. In sinuous 
ulcers, and cavities that continue to discharge 
matter in consequence of a debilitated state of the 
vessels of the part, tincture of myrrh, combined 
with an equal quantity of the tincture of bayberry, 
or bayberry powder put in tincture of myrrh, in- 
jected into the cavity, and repeated daily, will 
seldom fail of establishing the inflammatory ac- 
tion necessary to the production of granulations 
and a union of the sides of the cavity. Where 
the parts are too sensitive to admit the tincture to 
be used undiluted, it may be combined with water 
or bayberry tea. In cases of scrofulous ulcers, 
white swelling, hip disease, and wherever there is 
a free discharge of water from a part, and the 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. Hi!) 

system is in a relaxed condition, the internal use 
of myrrh will generally prove beneficial. The 

most convenient way of taking myrrh is in the 
form of pills. 

To Prepare the Powder for Taking. — Put to- 
gether half a teaspoonful of myrrh and a tea- 
spoonful of sugar, then add a teacup half full of 
lukewarm water, or a tea of cinnamon or liquorice 
root, stir the mixture and take before it settles. 

" When myrrh is taken in the form of pills or 
powder, care should be observed to select that of 
the best quality." — Comfort's Practice. 

MOTHERWORT. 

"The leaves of this plant are in common use as 
a tonic, nervine, and diaphoretic. It is useful in 
chronic headache, hysteria, cramps, debility, and 
nervous affections. An infusion, sweetened, may 
be taken in the dose of half teacupful, or more, 
and repeated according to the necessity of the 
case." — Matsons Practice. 

BALM. 

A tea made of balm and drank warm, forms an 
excellent drink in febrile, and other complaints, 
where teas are demanded. 

PLANTAIN. 

The expressed juice of the common plantain 
leaf, is regarded as an antidote to poisonous bites 
and stings. The bruised leaves are used as a 
poultice to indolent ulcers, old sores, painful piles, 
and sore eyes. A tea of the plant, made strong, 



170 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

may be given internally for bowel complaints, and 
bleeding from the lungs. 

FIVEFINGER. 

This is a traveling vine, commonly growing in 
poor uncultivated ground. A decoction of this 
vine, with the root, is highly beneficial in levers 
and night sweats. 

LOBELIA INFLATA — EMETIC HERB. 

" There are several species of lobelia; none of 
which, however, appear to possess important medi- 
cal properties, except the inflata. The lobelia iu- 
flata presents several peculiarities by which it may 
very readily be distinguished from every other 
plant. It grows in every kind of soil, but princi- 
pally in old pasture fields, and in fields that have 
been in grass a year or more. The young plant 
may be seen in the fall of the year with its leaves 
flat upon the ground, spreading out in the form of 
a star; and it remains in this way the ensuing 
winter, and arrives at maturity the ensuing year. 
By cultivation, however, it becomes an annual, 
that is, if the seeds be deposited early in the 
spring, and the season is favorable, they will sprout 
and shoot up stems, and by the expiration of 
autumn, the plant will have perfected its growth." 

"In giving a description of this valuable herb," 
says Dr. Thomson, "I shall be more particular, 
because it is the most important article made use 
of in my system of practice; without which it 
would be incomplete." 

"The extraordinary influence exerted upon the 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 171 

■ni, by lobelia, has doubtless induced many to 
believe that it is poisonous. Dr. Thomson, how- 
ever, observes, 'There is no vegetable that the 
earth produces, more harmless in its effects on the 

human system, and none more powerful in remov- 
ing disease and promoting health.' 

"The result of experiments, proves the active 
principle of lobelia to be a volatile alkaline sub- 
stance. The medicinal properties of lobelia are 
destroyed by boiling, unless a. portion of aeid be 
present. 

Uses. — "Combined with astringents and stimu- 
lants, lobelia may be regarded as the best emetic 
known. Taken in emetic doses, it awakens sensi- 
bility in the stomach; the patient feels his diseas- 
ed condition; an internal re-action is established; 
nature is assisted in expelling disease, and more 
benefit realized, in many instances, from one full 
operation of this kind, than can be obtained from 
any other course of treatment. 

"It is a safe and effectual remedy in the hands 
of parents, for relieving the distress accompanying 
the diseases of children, and may be used at any 
time without fear of danger. It is excellent in 
whooping cough, not only mitigating the violence 
of the cough", but frequently shortening the course 
of the disease. It is also invaluable in cases of 
croup. 

"Pills, composed of equal quantities of brown 
lobelia and cayenne, may be used as a general 
medicine in all cases of disease, with almost cer- 
tain benefit and without injury in any ease." — 
Comfort's Practice. 



172 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

CAPSICUM — CAYENNE PEPPER. 

"Capsicum is a pure and permanent stimulant; 
its direct effect upon the system, when taken, is to 
raise and support vital action; it restores a natur- 
al warmth to the system, increases the power of 
generating nervous influence, by which the secre- 
tions are increased, a determination to the surface 
is produced, and the circulation of the blood equal- 
ized. Cayenne pepper, therefore, is an important 
agent in the treatment of disease ; always assisting 
nature, and operating against disease, whether it 
be attended by chilliness, or fever. It is congen- 
ial to the living principle in man, as certainly as 
that the sun is congenial to the life of the vegeta- 
ble kingdom. The African cayenne is always to be 
preferred, when it can be obtained pure, and it is 
very necessary that we procure the pure and un- 
damaged for medical purposes." — Comfort's Prac. 



PURIFIED CHARCOAL POWDER. 

'•'Charcoal possesses, when properly prepared, 
anticeptic and absorbent properties to a remarka- 
ble degree. But in order to be possessed of these 
properties, it must, after being reduced to a fine 
powder, undergo a process of purification, and then 
be kept from the air, in closely stopped vials, or 
bottles. 

"Costiveness may be overcome in many instances 
by taking a desertspoonful of charcoal, mixed in 
water, every morning, fasting. It is the general 
opinion among medical men that charcoal relieves 
constipation, by acting as a mechanical stimu- 
lant to the mucous membrane of the bowels. 



tin: family physician. 17:; 

"For sour stomach and heart bum, charcoal is 
Bafe and effectual, at least in relieving for the 
time ; and by improving the condition of the bow- 
els, lessens the tendency to an accumulation of 
acid in the stomach. 

11 Foul breath can be corrected by the use of 
charcoal. 

"In dysentary, charcoal may be used with entire 
safety, and proves beneficial in relieving to a 
greater or less extent the obstinate constipation 
attendant on this form of disease, without harass- 
ing the bowels, as do all purgative medicines. It 
has also been found effectual in correcting the fcetor 
of the stools. 

"In the Summer Complaints of Infants, when 
the passages are unusually offensive, charcoal may 
be given, either prepared in sweetened water, or 
with boiled milk. 

"In Dyspepsia, accompanied with flatulency, 
and sour, or foetid eructations, charcoal will bo 
found to afford relief." 

NO. 3 PILLS — ANTI-CANKER PILLS. 

" These pills contain medical properties which 
are beneficial in all varieties of disease, furnishing 
a pure stimulant, congenial with the health-restor- 
ing power, to the system; they promote digestion, 
and give increased tone and energy to the system. 

"In all cases of disease, when the patient prefers 
taking medicine in the form of pills, the No. 3 
Pills may be used as a substitute for composition, 
or for bayberry and cayenne. They may be given 
in the quantity of from four to six, or eight pills 
every two or three hours, as a general medicine in 



174 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

acute diseases, such as pleurisy, dysentery, small- 
pox, fevers, &c. In bowel complaints, they are 
particularly recommended. 

" Dyspepsia, of long standing, has been cured in 
many instances, by taking from fifteen to twenty 
pills daily, with from three to five compound lobelia 
pills at bedtime, and persevering in their use, daily, 
for two or three weeks. 

"They are a radical cure for costiveness. They 
are not purgative, but cleanse the stomach and 
bowels of all canker and morbid secretions. If the 
stomach is much deranged, they may cause a little 
distress for a time, by causing the patient to feel 
his diseased condition, and may be followed by a 
diarrhea for a day or two, although they possess 
no purgative properties, and when the acrid secre- 
tions of the stomach have passed off in this way, 
they will cease to cause purging. 

"They are equally well adapted to the cure of 
disea.se in children, in doses of from three to five, 
or six. Taken daily, for a week, they will cure 
worm complaints, by destroying, or removing the 
vitiated secretions that feed worms." 

COMPOUND LOBELIA PILLS. 

Composed of the pulverised seed of lobelia, cap- 
sicum, and gum arabic, are an excellent general 
remedy for disease, and a substitute for all other 
remedies. They will do no injury in any case, and 
will prove beneficial in almost every case of disease. 
"Many invalids have experienced great benefit 
from the continued use of these pills, taking from 
one to two, or three, as often as three or four times 
a day." Some may take five or six, without pro- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. IT") 

ducing the slightest nausea, while others are more 
Buaceptable to the impression of lobelia, and will be 

nauseated by only two or three. To take these 
daily, for a time, in connection with the No. 3 Pills, 
will thoroughly cleanse the system, except in cases 
of seated disease. 

INJECTION POWDER. 

"The benefit, derived from the use of injections 
is not generally known; life has often been saved 
by their use in cases of ulcerated sore throat,, and 
other affections, where it was impossible for the 
patient to swallow. Dr. Thomson says, "What- 
ever is good to cure disease when taken into the 
stomach, is likewise good for the same purpose if 
given by injection, as the grand object is to warm 
the bowels, and remove canker. They are per- 
fectly safe in all cases. In many violent cases, 
particularly where there is danger of mortifica- 
tion, patients may be relieved by administering 
medicine in this way, where there would be no 
chance in any other. 

"For preparing injections, in ordinary cases, 
pour half a pint of boiling water on two teaspoon - 
fuls of the powder; when necessary to make much 
impression, add from half to a teaspoonful of green 
lobelia, and as much nerve powder, when the above 
is moderately warm; let it stand warm ten min- 
utes; strain, or pour off the tea, and use it blood 
warm. In bad cases, add from half to a teaspoon- 
ful of the liquid of the third preparation of lobelia 
in place of the green lobelia and nerve powder; 
when the bowels are very sore, or irritable, half a 
teaspoonful of slippery elm should be added. In 



170 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

violent attacks of disease, as in billious colic, 
apoplexy, suspended animation, &c, the quantity 
of third preparation may be increased, and the in- 
jection repeated every fifteen or twenty minutes, 
until the desired effect is produced. The frequent 
use Of injections does not produce the necessity for 
their repetition. 

"A wineglassful, or more, of the injection pow- 
der tea, with as much green lobelia as will lie on 
a ten cent piece, or more, if necessary, is an inval- 
uable remedy for almost all diseases with which 
children are effected. Cross, fretful, restless chil- 
dren, will be made much more comfortable by the 
occasional use of injections. For colic, colds, worm 
complaints, &c, the injections will often effect a 
cure without anv other medicine." 



RECIPES. 

PLASTERS AND POULTICES. 

MUSTARD PLASTER. 

A simple mustard plaster may be prepared by 
mixing ground mustard and warm water to form a 
proper consistency for a plaster. If it is desired 
to weaken the plaster, wheat, or rye flour may be 
added. A very common form of preparing must- 
ard plaster, is to take equal quantities of ground 
mustard and wheat, or rye flour, and moisten them 
with vinegar. Mustard plasters are often found 
servicable wmen not left on so long as to occasion 
a blister. — Comfort's Practice. 



THE family PHYSICIAN, 177 

Emolient and Slightly Stimulating Pi 
ces. — Take of slippery elm powder two parts; 
white pond lily root, pulverized, one part; green 

lobelia powder, half as much as of the white pond 
lily; mix with warm water. This poultice may be 
used in all cases of boils and tumors attended with 
inflammation, and in cases of injuries when the 
flesh is lacerated. It also forms a suitable poult- 
ice for acute inflammation of the eyes, and when 
a part is burned with a red-hot iron, or live coals, 
so as to sear the flesh. — Comfort's Practice. 

Stimulating and Astringent Poultices. — 
Take of composition powder and slippery elm, pul- 
verized, equal quantities, wet them with warm 
water, and then add a portion of sweet lard. This 
poultice is w r ell adapted to all cases of boils, or ab- 
scesses, when the matter has discharged, and in old 
sores that require cleansing and stimulating, and 
in chronic inflammation. — Comfort's Practice. 

For Swelling Caused by Cold in a Sore, — 
Take of worm wood, johnswort, wild chamomile, 
each equal parts; stew them together in a little 
water, and apply as a poultice. 

Poultice for Neuralgia, Pain in the Face, 
Toothache, &c. — Stew hops in good cider vinegar, 
put into a flannel bag and apply as hot as can be 
borne. This will ease the pain, quiet the nerves, 
and promote sleep. 

Catnip Poultice. — Catnip leaves, steeped in 
vinegar and water, and thickened with slippery 
elm, pulverized, or fine Indian meal, forms a poul- 
tice beneficial for painful swellings. 

(12; 



178 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

Charcoal Poultice. — Take of pulverized char- 
coal three parts ; ginger, one part ; bayberry, one 
part; slippery elm, two parts; mix them in warm 
water. This poultice is adapted to the treatment 
of putrid and offensive ulcers, also gangrene and 
mortification. 

Yeast Poultice. — Take a quantity of yeast and 
thicken with a mixture of ginger and rye, or wheat 
flour. Set it in a warm place until it begins to 
rise. This may be employed in all cases of gan- 
grene, mortification, &c, sloughing and offensive 
ulcers. 

Myrrh Poultice- Equal quantities of the dregs 
of No. 6, and slippery elm powder, moistened with 
water, may be employed with especial advantnge 
in cases of indolent ulcers, carbuncles, and long 
standing inflammation. This form of poultice re- 
quires to be moistened occasionally, more particu- 
larly when it is applied to a part in which there is 
an unnatural degree of heat. 



SALVES, LINIMENTS, AND OINTMENTS. 

Excelsior Salve. — Take of lard, two ounces ; 
black pepper, one and a half teaspoonfuls ; gum 
camphor, one-fourth ounce; castile soap, one-fourth 
ounce ; of beeswax, a sufficient quantity to form a 
salve. Shave the soap and beeswax ; then put the 
ingredients in an earthen, or porcelain vessel, (not 
in tin or iron,) and place over the fire to melt and 
mix thoroughly. The quantity may be increased 
or diminished by proportioning the quantities. It 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN 17!> 

is a reliable application in all cases of Boreness, or 
swelling, where the skin is not broken. Jt will 
entirely disperse abscesses, carbuncles, catarrhs, 
felons, &c., if applied before matter lias been form- 
ed. It is especially beneficial in cases of caked, or 
bealed breast; when they have become very hard 
and painful, this salve will speedily disperse, or 
bring to a determination, and ease the pain. I 
have used it in many cases, and always with mark- 
ed success, and have been acquainted with the 
remedy upwards of forty years. 

This is one of a number of recipes for which I 
was offered the sum of two hundred dollars, by two 
physicians; but I valued the reputation of the 
remedies too highly to permit of their being used 
in connection with other inconsistent treatment; 
for however beneficial an external application may 
be, it cannot of itself perform a perfect work where 
consti tutiomd treatment is required. 

Balm of Gilead Oixtment. — Take one pound 
of lard; three-fourths of a pound of mutton tallow ; 
pat into a kettle and add one teacupful of fresh 
halm gilead buds; place over a slow fire until the 
buds are fried to a crisp; then skim them out and 
add to the lard, four ounces of white sugar; one 
ounce castile soap; one ounce alum; two ounces of 
rosin, and two ounces of beeswax. Pulverize the 
alum and rosin, and shave thin the soap arnVbees- 
wax. Simmer all together one hour, stirring fre- 
quently; then strain through a cloth, and it is ready 
for use. This is an excellent remedy for a cough, 
or sore throat. Anoint the throat and wear flan- 
nel around the neck; and to take inwardly, melt 



180 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

and take one teaspoonful every other morning, 
lasting. 

I obtained this recipe twenty years ago, and can 
recommend it as valuable; it was at that time man- 
ufactured and sold by a lady in Rochester, New 
York, who, by its sale, had provided a comfortable 
home for herself and family. It is very healing, 
and good to use in any case where a salve, or oint- 
ment is needed. 

Universal Salve. — Four ounces rosin; two 
ounces heart suit; one pint white wine; two ounces 
virgris wax; two ounces venice turpentine; two 
ounces frankincense; one-half ounce mastic; one 
drachm camphor. 

This salve was prepared and extensively used by 
Sarah Lee, of Buck's County, Pa., in her practice 
of medicine. She is better known to the people of 
that county by the name of Aunt Sallie L^e, and 
is now gone the way of all the earth; yet her un- 
tiring labors in benefitting her fellow creatures 
will lono; be remembered, and deserves for her the 
highest honor. I cannot recommend this salve too 
highly. When about eighteen years of age, I had 
my foot badly scalded. Many remedies were ap- 
plied to no purpose. It continued swelling and 
became very painful and sore, so that I could rest 
neither day nor night, until I obtained the "Uni- 
versal Salve," which gave relief in a very short 
time, and finally affected a permanent cure. 

White Liniment. — Oil of Lavender, one ounce; 
oil of bergamot, one ounce; oil of organum, one 
ounce; oil of lemon, one ounce; oil of rosemary, 
one-half ounce; oil of cinnamon, one-fourth ounce; 
put these ingredients into one gallon of alcohol, 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 181 

and secure in a tight bottle. This makes an 
oellent perfumery, as well as being good to use in 
any case where a liniment is needed, as in any 
case of lameness, either from rheumatism, or other 
cause, or for braises. 

Tar Ointment.— Mix a pound of tar with a, 
pint of melted tallow, and stir the mixture until 
cold. This ointment, is especially well adapted to 
the cure of scald-head, and some species of tetter. 
— Comfort's Practice. 

Soap Liniment-Opodeldoc-DIssoIvc an ounce 
of camphor, and oil of rosemary, and oil of origan- 
um, each a fluid drachm, in a pint of alcohol ; then 
add three ounces of castile soap, and keep it several 
<lays in a warm place. This forms an article ex- 
tensively employed as an external application in 
cases of inflammation, swelling, bruises, &c. 

Simple Cerate. — Melt together one ounce of 
spermaceti, and three ounces of white wax; and 
then add six ounces of olive oil. Simple cerate 
may be employed as a salve to protect raw surfa- 
ces from the air. It contains no irritating proper- 
ties, provided it be made of good articles. 

Ammonia Liniment. — Take of water of ammo- 
nia, one tablespoonful ; of sweet oil, six tablespoon- 
fuls, and mix them thoroughly. This liniment is 
chiefly employed in inflammatory rheumatism, 
sprains, and bruises. 

Camphor Liniment. — Camphor liniment is pre- 
pared by dissolving half an ounce of gum camphor 
in four fluid ounces of sw T eet oil. This preparation 
may be used in cases of bruises, sprains, acute 
rheumatism, &c. 



182 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

COUGHS, COLDS, &c. 

To Stop a Fit of Coughing. — A correspondent 
of the London Medical Gazette, states that to close 
the nostrils with the thumb and finger, during ex- 
piration, leaving them free during inspiration, will 
relieve a fit of coughing in a short time. In addi- 
tion to the above we can state that to press the 
linger on the lip, just below the nose, will cause 
the premonitory symptoms of a sneeze to pass off 
harmless. 

Compound Balsam of Hoarhound, for Coughs, 
Colds , Consumption, 6fC — Take of the alcoholic 
extract of Hoarhound, one teaspoonful; of the 
alcoholic extract of Lactuca, (wild lettuce,) three 
teaspoonfuls; Tincture Lobelia Inflata, four ounces; 
Tincture Skunk Cabbage, four ounces; Tincture 
Blood-Boot, four ounces ; Honey, one quart. The 
extracts to be added to the tincture, and placed 
over the fire until they incorporate; then add the 
honey, and shake until thoroughly mixed; and it 
is then fit for use. Dose. — A teaspoonful five or 
six times a day, or when there is a paroxysm of 
coughing. 

Bemedy fop a Seated Cough and Dropsy, 
Caused by Mercury. — The small branches, or-twigs 
of the Persimmon tree, made into a strong tea ; 
drink freely of this, and bathe the parts with a 
strong decoction of the Bed Swamp Willow. 

Cough Syrup. — Spikenard, one ounce ; hoar- 
hound, one ounce ; elecampane, one ounce ; comfrey 
one ounce ; blood-root, one ounce ; hops, one ounce; 
these articles must be fresh and free from admix- 
ture; then mix and put into a quantity of water 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. L83 

suffioienl i" decocl them; the water should be 
poured off several times in order to extract all the 
virtues from them, after which unite the infusions, 
strain ami boil down to one quart. Add one gill of 
Sicily wine; two pounds of white sugar; boil for a 
minute ov two, to form a syrup. Dose. — A wine- 
glassful, three times a day. This is a valuable ex- 
pectorant. 

Balsam of Honey. — Tincture of lobelia inflata, 
one pint; essence of anise, two ounces; essence of 
sassafras, two ounces; strained honey, six ounces. 
This is an excellent emetic for children; good in 
croup, whooping cough, asthma, &c. — Wilkinson. 

Hot Drops, for Colds, Sore Throat, Cramp, 
Burns, or Frozen Limbs. — One quart of alcohol; 
one ounce gum myrrh; one ounce gum gnac; one 
ounce oil of hemlock; African cayenne pepper two 
fceaspoonfuls. The gums must be made fine; put 
in a bottle, and shake occasionally for a day or two, 
it is then fit for use. Dose. — For an adult, one 
Ceaspoonful in water. Bathe well, but not rub. 

MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES. 

Comfort's Cholera Mixture. — One ounce 
African cayenne; one ounce prickly ash; one ounce 
goldenseal; one ounce nerve powder; one ounce 
hemlock ; one ounce bayberry ; two ounces ginger ; 
put in three quarts of water and boil down to one 
half gallon ; then strain, and add three quarts sugar 
house molasses, one quart Jamaica rum, and three 
pints of No. 6. 

Cure for Lockjaw. — A cure was affected on a 
young lady a short time since, by the application 



184 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

of powdered beet root, even after symptoms of mor- 
tification had appeared. The beet should be care- 
fully dried, powdered, and moistened with warm 
water. The remedy requires to be renewed as 
often as dry. 

Cuke for Chilblains. — Fresh beet root grated, 
adding a little salt, is an effectual care for frost- 
bitten flesh. 

Cuke fok a Wen. — One pint flax-seed oil ; one 
ounce red lead ; one ounce white lead ; simmer them 
together till they become thick enough for a salve. 
This is said to be an excellent remedy. Medicine 
should also be taken to purify the blood. 

Fok Gangrene, Carbuncles, &c. — Take jim- 
son stalks, leaves, seeds, and all, a good parcel; 
and a handful of hops. Boil them down very strong. 
Take out all the rough parts of the herbs, and 
thicken it with flour of elm, with a little corn meal, 
to make a very soft poultice. Spread thin and 
even over the cloth, and then put lard over it to 
prevent sticking;. This application has given almost 
immediate relief in very severe cases. 

Female Strengthening Syrup. — Take one- 
fourth of a pound of comfrey root, dried ; two 
ounces of elecampane root ; two ounces of feverfew; 
and one ounce of hoarhound. Put three quarts of 
water on them, and boil down to three pints ; strain 
and add, while warm, half an ounce of beth root, 
pulverized ; a pint of brandy, and a pound of loaf 
sugar. Dose. — From half to two-thirds of a wine- 
glassful, three or four times a day. This is used 
in female weakness, bearing down of the womb, 



THE FAMILY rilYSH IAN. I80 

Buor albus, debility, and relaxation o( the genital 

organs, barrenness, & 

Colic Drops. — Oil of anise, one ounce; oil of 
peppermint, one ounce; oil of hemlock, half an 
ounce; oil of cedar, hall' ounce; oil of cloves, half 
ounce; oil of cinnamon, half ounce ; gum guaiacum, 
four ounces; alcohol, one quart. Dose. — For an 
adult, thirty drops once in twenty minutes until 
relieved. — Wilkinson. 

Cholera Medicine. — One pint alcohol ; one 
ounce peppermint oil; one ounce rheubarb ; one 
ounce soda; one ounce cinnamon bark, pulverized. 
Dose. — For an adult one teaspoon ful in a wineglass 
of water, well sweetened with loaf sugar. Shake 
the bottle w T ell before using. If chilly, take it in 
warm water. Repeat the dose every hour until 
the disease is checked. For a child, half a tea- 
spoonful. This medicine is recommended in all 
cases of diarrhea, and has been used with good 
success. It is a good medicine to keep in the 
family and have always ready for immediate use. 

Liniment for Rheumatism and Sore Throat. 
— Spirits of terebinthae, one-half ounce; spirits 
ammonia, one-half ounce ; oil of spike, one-fourth 
ounce; oil origanum, three drachms; oliva oil, live 
ounces; tincture opium, two ounces. 

Recipe for Making Cider Wine. — J. IT. Keck, 
of Macon county, Illinois, communicates the fol- 
lowing method of making cider wine, which he 
highly commends. Take pure cider, made from 
sound, ripe apples as it runs from the press, put 
sixty pounds of common brown sugar into fifteen 
gallons of the cider, and let it dissolve ; then put 



186 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

the mixture into a clean barrel, and fill the barrel 
up within two gallons of being full with clean cider, 
put the cask into a cool place leaving the bung out 
for forty-eight hours; then put in the bung with a 
small vent, until fermentation wholly ceases, and 
bung up tight, in one year it will be fit for use. This 
wine requires no racking; the longer it stands the 
better. This wine is almost equal to grape wine 
when rightly managed. 

For Worms. — Take half a teaspoonful of pow- 
dered aloes, and add sufficient molasses to make it 
stick well together, of which make six pills, one to 
be taken every night. 

For a Bad Sore. — Old sores, sometimes assume 
a greenish hue, and emit a very unpleasant odor. 
The best remedy for this condition, is to take com- 
mon charcoal, reduce it to a powder, and mix it with 
fresh lard, or butter, (without salt,) applied to the 
sore ; the application should be frequently repeated. 

Excellent Remedy for Debility of the Stomach. 
--Take of chamomile flowers, dried lemon and 
orange peel, each four ounces ; bruise them and 
pour upon them one pint of boiling water. Let it 
set four hours and then strain it. To the clear 
liquid, add ginger and sugar to the taste. Of this 
preparation, take a wineglassful twice a day before 
eating. 

For Stranguary. — The bark of the wild plum 
tree, made into a strong tea, and taken freely, is a 
good remedy; it is when sweetened, a pleasant 
drink and is easily obtained in most parts of the 
country. It is also good for the same disease in 
horses. 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 187 



Ulcus, 



Anti-Dyspeptic PUls. — Take of powdered 
and asafcetiaa, equal parts, with a sufficient quan- 
tity of castile soap to form pills. Take from four 
to six daily, before meals. I have known these 
pills to cure dyspepsia of long standing. 

A no the r Remedy fo r Dyspcps la. — T h e folfowin g 
was a favorite remedy for dyspepsia with the late 
Dr. Physick : "A quart of hickory ashes, a teacup- 

ful of soot, and a gallon of boiling water." Dose. 
A wineglassful of the tea immediately after meals. 
Comfort's Practice. 

Limewater. — How to Prepare It. — Take of fresh 
burnt lime three ounces, put it in an earthen ves- 
sel and pour on half a gallon cold water; stir it 
occasionally with a wooden stick, and in about 
three hours put in glass vessels, and keep them 
corked. Pour off the clear part only for use. 
Limewater is good to neutralize acidity in the 
stomach, to correct offensive breath, and overcome 
putrid eructations. Dose. — From two to four 
ounces should be taken by an adult, combined with 
an equal portion of milk, and repeated three or 
four times a day. 

Tar-water. — How to Prepare It. — "Take of tar 
two pints ; water, a gallon. Mix, stirring with a 
w r ooden rod for fifteen minutes; then, after the tar 
shall have subsided, strain the liquor, and keep it 
in well-stopped bottles. As an internal remedy, 
tar-water may be used in cases of chronic cough, 
chronic catarrh, piles, and in affections of the kid- 
neys and urinary organs. One or two pints may 
be taken daily. ' Tar-water has been used with 
marked benefit as an injection in cases of fluor 



188 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

albus, and piles. A mixture of equal quantities 
of tar-water, and a decoction of sumac and witch- 
hazel is better than the simple tar-water. Tar- 
water, and a strong decoction of marsh rosemary, 
mixed in equal quantities, is a good preparation 
for washing parts that are chafed in children, ring- 
worm, and scaly eruptions on the face. Tar- water 
has of late been successfully used as a styptic, to 
arrest the flow of blood from wounds." — Comfort's 
Practice. 

Blackberry Syrup. — This is a specific for the 
summer complaint, and a very healthful article. 
To two quarts of the j uice of blackberries, add one 
pound of loaf sugar; one-half ounce of nutmeg, 
grated; half ounce cinnamon, pulverized. Boil all 
together for a short time, and whan cold add one 
pint of brandy. This beverage is said to be a cure 
for summer complaints. 

Indigestion . — Remedy For. — Boil a pint of 
white wheat three hours, in two quarts of water, 
or a little more if necessary. Drink of the liquid 
two or three times a day. We would also recom- 
mend eating the wheat with a little dressing of 
sugar and cream, having known obstinate cases of 
constipation cured by using the wheat as a diet. 

For Constipation. — Take of white mustard seed, 
pulverized, a half teaspoonful twice a day, before 
meals. A free use of animal charcoal is also a 
good remedy. 

Cure for a Felon. — As soon as you discover that 
a felon, or whitlow, is coming on your hand, take 
a piece of tape and commence wrapping the finger 
or thumb, as the case may be, from the end up to 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 189 

the hand, so tight and so close as lo stop the cir- 
culation. Let it stay wrapped in this way from 
twelve to twenty-four hours ; then take it off if the 
soreness is all out ; if not, repeat the operation. 
This will drive back any felon, if matter has not 
formed in it. If the matter has formed, it must 
be opened when in a proper condition, and the 
matter discharged, then poulticed as other risings. 

Another. — Brush the member from the extremi- 
ty towards the limb, for ten or fifteen minutes at 
a time, every hour, and if matter is not actually 
formed, it will not be. 

Tar-water for Eruptions. — Scaly eruptions on 
the face, or other parts of the body, may be cured 
in many instances, by simply washing the parts 
with tar- water, two or three times a day. 

Chafing. — The best remedy we can recommend 
for chafing is raw cotton, saturated with glycerine. 
The cotton must be placed between the sore and 
inflamed sui faces. 

Thomson's Composition Powder. — Take three 
pounds of finely-ground bay berry-root bark, one 
and a half pounds of best ginger, three ounces of 
cayenne, and three ounces of cloves; all finely pul- 
verized, thoroughly mixed, and passed through a 
sieve. The composition powder, besides its stimu- 
lating qualities, contains astringent and detergent 
properties. It may be used with safety in all cases 
of disease, and it is more employed by Botanies, as 
a general medicine, than any other article, or com- 
pound. — Comfort's Practice. 

Bee-Stings, $c. — Nothing can be better than to 
bathe the parts with the third preparation of lobe- 



190 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

lia, for any poisonous sting. If the patient is 
much affected, administer some of the same inward- 
ly. "We recommend the efficacy of this remedy 
from our own experience. 

Ear- Ache. — For ear-ache, occasioned from tak- 
ing cold, take a honey-comb, lay it on a shovel of 
hot coals, place a funnel over them, and apply the 
ear to the small end of the funnel. This will most- 
ly give immediate relief. To drop from two to 
five drops of tincture of lobelia, or British oil, in 
the ear, after smoking, will be found beneficial. 

Deafness, Occasioned by Indurated Wax, or 
Wax Covering the Drum of the Ear. — First drop 
sweet oil in the ear, and some hours afterwards, 
syringe the ear with warm castile soap suds, and 
continue the syringing until the wax comes away. 
Then drop a small quantity of British oil in the ear. 

THE THREE FOLLOWING ARE FROM Dr. 
CHASE'S VALUABLE RECIPE BOOK. 

Common Colic. — There is a kind of colic with 
which some persons are afflicted from their youth 
up, not attended with vomiting and purging. I 
was afflicted with it from my earliest recollection, 
until I was over twenty years of age, sometimes 
two or three times yearly. In one of these cases 
a neighbor woman came in, and as soon as she 
found what was the matter, she went out and pull- 
ed up a bunch of blue vervain, cut off the roots, 
put a good handful of them into a bowl, and pour- 
ed boiling water upon them, and steeped for a short 
time; she then gave me a drink of the tea, saying: 
"If you will drink of this tea every day, for a 



THE FAMILY PBH sin w. II 

month, you will never have colic again." 1 
perfectly easy in a few moments, being entirely free 

from pain. 

Turnip, for Fever Sores. — William Howell, a 
farmer living about six miles from Jackson, Mich- 
igan, says lie had a fever sore on his shin for twen- 
ty years, sometimes laying him up for months, and 
at one time preparations were made to cut oil" the 
limb. An old man, in New Jersey, told him to 
scrape a fresh turnip, and apply it every four 
hours, night and day, until healed. He did so, 
and it cured him. He feels assured, from using it 
in other cases, that all will be pleased with it who 
have any occasion for its use. Apply it oftener if 
it becomes too offensive. 

Poison, Antidote. — When it becomes known that 
a poison has been swallowed, stir salt and ground 
mustard, of each a heaping teaspoonful, into a 
glass of water and drink immediately. It is the 
quickest emetic known; it should vomit in one 
minute ; then give the whites of two or three egp) 
in sweet cream or milk, and if the cream or milk 
is not handy give the eggs alone. I have used the 
mustard with success in case of my own child, who 
had swallowed a silver quarter beyond the reach 
of the finger, but remaining in the "throat, which 
to all appearance w r ould have suffocated him. I 
first took the plan of turning the head down and 
patting on the back; failing in this, I mixed a 
heaping teaspoonful of mustard in sufficient water 
to admit its being swallowed readily, and in one 
minute we had the quarter, dinner and all; with- 
out it we should have had no child. 

Another Antidote for Poison. ---Strong codec, 



11)2 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

with a teaspoonful of fine salt added, will in most 
eases produce immediate vomiting; and after the 
coffee a portion of olive (sweet) oil should be taken ; 
dose for an adult, half a pint, and for children ac- 
cording to age. This remedy is mostly in reach 
of all, when perhaps others equally as good could 
not be obtained immediately. I can most confi- 
dently recommend the free use of the third prepa- 
ration of lobelia, or lobelia in any form to produce 
vomiting; and it can be relied upon as a safe and 
efficient remedy in cases of poisoning, or other ob- 
structions in which an emetic is required. 

Anti- Scorbutic Powder.— Elder blossoms, one 
pound; sassafras-root bark, one-half pound; bur- 
dock root, one-half pound : narrow leaf yellow dock 
root, one-half pound; spice-wood bark, one-half 
pound; upland sumac berries, one-fourth pound; dry 
thoroughly and pulverize in a mortar. This may 
be prepared without the sumac berries, although 
their presence makes it more agreeable to the taste. 
Make a strong tea by boiling a portion of the pow- 
der in water and drink several times a day. It is 
good in all eruptive diseases, and wherever a medi- 
cine is required to cleanse the blood. Particular- 
ly good for people predisposed to scrofula. 

NOURISHING- DRINKS AND DIET FOR THE 
SICK. 

SarsaparUlaJBeer. — Take of sarsaparilla root, bruis- 
ed, one pound ; quiac shavings, anise-seed, and liquo- 
rice root, each, two ounces ; good molasses, one pound ; 
and half a dozen bruised cloves ; pour upon these, two 
gallons of boiling water, and shake the vessel several 
times a day ; after fermentation takes place, it is fit 
for use. It is often found beneficial in scrofula, where 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 1!>". 

the patient is in an emaciated and feeble condition; 
and in a great variety of complaints of I 
ing, attended with emaciation and debil 

Practice. 
Dried Beef 7fea.— Boiling water pound upon chip- 
ped dried beef, not smoked, forms a nutritious drink, 
that agrees well with the sick. — OomforVs Practia . 

7b Obtain the JSssence of Beej '. — Take from one t<> 
two pounds of fresh loan beef, cut it into small pieces, 
sprinkle it with a little salt, and put it into a dry 

and perfectly clean bottle, and cork it tightly, or into 
a jar, either glass or stone, placing- a cover on the jar. 
Set the bottle, or jar, into a kettle of water, and boil 
the water an hour or more, and then remove it from 
the lire before the bottle is taken out, it may other- 
wise l)e broken by the sudden change of temperature. 
Essence of beef is highly nutritious, and very easy of 
digestion, and consequently forms an important arti- 
cle of diet in disease attended with extreme debility, 
as in the advanced stages of fevers, pleurisy, small- 
pox, dysentery, &c. — Comfort's Practice. 

Essence of Chicken. — This may be prepared in the 
same way as the essence of beef, and is much more 
wholesome for the sick than the broth which is usual- 
ly made. 

To Make Crust Coffee.— Take some of the crust and 
thin slices of stale wheat bread, toast it thoroughly, 
so that there shall be no part of it unbrowned; pour 
on boiling water, and, after steeping ten or fifteen 
minutes, it will be ready for use. It may be sweeten- 
ed, and a portion of milk, or cream, added, if the 
patient prefer it so. Crust coffee is nourishing, and 
generally agrees well with the sick. To be taken 
cold or warm, as the patient may fancy. — ComforVa 
Prtictice. 

Egg Soup.— Beat up the yolk of a fresh egg, and 
pour on half a pint of boiling water. A little wine 
and sugar may be added. This is highly nutritious, 
and generally sets easy on the stomach. 

Another Method.— Take the yolk of a hard-boiled 
egg, mash it in a bowl with a silver spoon ; then wV\ 

(13) 



194 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

sufficient of boiling water to make it thin enough to 
be drank. It may be seasoned to suit the taste of the 
patient. — Comfort's Practice. 

Graham Biscuit. — Two quarts of graham flour ; two 
even teaspoonfuls soda; a little salt; and piece of lard 
as large as an egg. Rub all into the flour, and add 
enough sour milk to make a thick batter. Sweeten 
with a little molasses if desirable. Drop the cakes 
on a pan from the spoon, and bake in a quick oven. 
These biscuits are very good, as well as healthful, 
and any person afflicted with dyspepsia, or indiges- 
tion, will find them a pleasing diet. 

Mulled Buttermilk. — Put one quart of buttermilk 
into a sauce-pan, with two eggs well beaten, and a 
little salt. Place it over a slow fire, stirring constant- 
ly until it boils. Sweeten if preferred. This is very 
good for consumptives, or persons recovering from 
low forms of fever. 

" Peculiar 's," or Graham Puffs. — To one pint of 
Graham flour, add one pint of milk, and one egg. 
Stir in the flour slowly till it becomes a smooth, (not 
thick) batter. Use no soda, nor yeast. Bake imme- 
diately. The best bake-pans are of cast-iron, with 
twelve sockets, which must be first heated, then 
greased, filled, and instantly returned to the oven. 
Puffs may also be made without the egg, with milk 
and w T ater, or all water. This recipe is sufficient for 
twenty-four puffs. Graham flour from which the 
puffs are made, is more healthy for daily use than 
bolted flour; because nearly all the hull, or bran, is 
seperated from the latter. Bolted flour is deprived 
of the silica, or silex contained in the bran, and which 
is given for the support and nourishment of our bones 
and teeth. Hence Americans are troubled with de- 
cayed teeth, and often with their total loss, more 
than Europeans, as the former more universally eat 
finely bolted flour, whether w T heat or rye. 

Unbolted Wheat Flour Gruel. — Take a tablespoon- 
ful of the meal, and beat it into a paste with cold 
water ; add salt to the taste, and stir it slowly into a 
pint of boiling water; continue the boiling four or 
five minutes, and skim; milk may be added if desir- 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

able, and then let it again come to a boil, when it 
will be ready for use. This is highly useful in 
pepsia, costiveness, and all cases of a weak sfa 
the digestive organs, it may also bo given during li 
course of medicine, and is preferable to the porridge 
made with superfine flour. 

Indian Meal Gruel. — To a quart of boiling water, 
add a little salt, and stir in two tablespoonfuls of the 
meal, as in making mush. Boil fifteen or twenty 
minutes, then add any desirable quantity of milk. 
This gruel is not only good for the sick, hut may It 
used instead of tea or coffee. It will answer without 
milk. 

Barley Water. — Take a tablespooni'ul of pearl bar- 
ley, wash it in cold water; then put it in a clean 
earthen vessel, add a quart of boiling water, let it 
simmer ten minutes; after it settles, pour off the 
water, sweeten with loaf sugar, and add a piece of 
lemon. Used as a drink in fevers. 

To make Oat Meal Gruel of Superior Quatily.-Take 
two tablespoonfuls of oat meal ; mix it with water 
gradually in a dish; then add a pint of water and a 
handful of raisins ; simmer over a slow fire live or six 
hours. This is a good article of* diet for the sick, and 
beneficial in cases of constipation of the bowels. 

Liquorice Hoot Tea. — Good in the last stages of con- 
sumption, when there is excessive thirst. 

To make Wheat Bran Gruel. — Take a tablespoonful 

of clean wheat bran, to a pint and a half of water; 
boil half an hour and sweeten with loaf sugar. Very 
useful in catarrhal affections. 

Food for Infant*. — Slippery elm powder added to 
milk, or to milk porridge, will cause these article- of 
food to set well on the stomach in many instances 
where they will disagree with the stomach without 
the addition of the elm powder. To mix the elm 
powder with the liquids, first rub a little sugar with 
the elm, and then it will mix readily with milk or 
other liquids. The quantity of elm to be \\>v ( \ for 
half a pint of milk should be about a desert spoonful, 
and this to be rubbed with a teaspoonful of sugar. 



19G THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

The elm should not be added long before the food is 
to be taken, otherwise it will become too thick to be 
drank readily. 

Dyspeptics will find great benefit from the use of 
the elm powder in milk porridge, or in boiled milk. 

The most perfectly organized infants, when op- 
pressed with an over-loaded stomach, throw up the 
superfluous food and are relieved. All infants, pro- 
bably, take more nourishment than can be properly 
digested ; and when the stomach can be relieved by 
spontaneous vomiting, the child will generally thrive. 
Infants who do not posses this power to a proper ex- 
tent, becomes oppressed with undigested food in thp 
stomach ; and when it passes into the bowels, causes 
distress and pain, followed by bowel complaints. The 
child cries from pain, and to quiet it, is again nursed; 
and in this way the child is made to suffer night and 
day from a stomach oppressed with food. 

It is better to cause the child to vomit with lobelia 
every time its stomach becomes oppressed with food, 
than to harass the bowels for hours trying to work it 
off. Lobelia will do no injury, and may be given 
without risk of injuring the system. 

METHOD OF DRYING ROOTS AND HERBS. 

The more speedily roots, barks, and herbs are dried 
after being collected, the more perfectly will their 
medical properties be retained. Roots and barks, 
and other things of an astringent nature may be dri- 
ed either in the sun, or in an oven only moderately 
warm. Roots should be cut up, strung upon a string 
and hung in a warm dry place, or dried in an oven. 
"Bayberry-root bark should be dried in an oven of 
moderate heat, and all its medical properties will 
then be retained in a state of purity." 

Medical herbs should be gathered when fully ripe, 
or when the blossoms, or seeds, are fully developed, 
and before they are frost-bitten. Barks, of all kinds, 
are much stronger if procured before the leaf is ex- 
panded. 

When herbs are gathered they should be carefully 
freed from any admixture of grass, w 7 eeds, <fcc, care- 



i in: FAMILY I'm m,ian 

fully and thoroughly dried according to the directions 
given above. They will then retain all of their medi- 
cal qualities, and much oftheir natural color. When 
dry they should be broken up, or stripped from the 

stalk, if it be heavy, and packed in jars or boxen fre< 
from the air. 



TOBACCO. 



The Injurious effects, arising from the use of tobac- 
co in any form, we fear is not generally understood, 
or, at least, considered. As a medicinceit is narcotic, 
emetic and cathartic; and it is said to possess, at least , 
t wo additional powers, if not more. When first used 
it mostly produces vomiting, but the habit of using 
it in any form "soon conquers distaste and forms a 
relish for it that is strong- and almost unconquerable." 
It draws heavily upon the nervous system, injures 
the eyes, enfeebles digestion, producing water brash, 
nervous headache, &C. 

The following extract from a letter by John Quincy 
Adams, confirms the idea that the use of tobacco can 
be abandoned by proper resolution: "In my early 
youth I was addicted to the use of tobacco in two of 
Its mysteries, smoking and chewing. I was warned, 
by a 'medical friend, of the pernicious operation of 
this habit upon the stomach and nerves, and the ad- 
vice of the physician was fortified by the results of 
my own experience. More than thirty years have 
passed away, since I deliberately renounced the use 
of tobacco in all its forms; and although the resolu- 
tion was not carried into execution, without a st nig- 
gle of vitiated nature, I never yielded to it- impul- 
ses; and in the space of three or four months of self- 
denial, they lost their stimulating power, and I have 
never since felt it as a privation. 

"I have often wished that every individual of the 
human race afflicted with this artificial passion could 
prevail upon himself to try, but for three months. 
the experiment which I have made; sure that \i 
would turn every acre of tobacco land into n wheal 



198 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

field, and add five years of longevity to the average 
of human life.'' 

Comfort says that tobacco "causes imbecility of 
mind, and in some instances, melancholy." 



THE MAXIKIX. 



The great practical use of the manikin is to assist 
in teaching anatomy and physiology. By means of 
these manikins, (an ingenious piece of French mech- 
anism,) every part of the system is faithfully repre- 
sented and exhibited ; the brain, eye, ear, heart, lungs, 
veins, nerves, stomach, large and small intestines, &c. 
The natural size, form, color, and situation of the 
several parts, are all in the highest degree of perfec- 
tion. It is a collection of several hundred distinct 
pieces, most ingeniously attached together by wires, 
and when united, forming a most excellent represen- 
tation of a nearly full sized human body. It may be 
built up and taken down by piece meal with as much 
facility as a child can erect and demolish a cob house. 
One of these, at least, should be found in every Uni- 
versity, College, and High School in the country. 
No young man, or woman, should be considered as 
properly instructed, who is not made familiar with 
the practical anatomy and physiology which can be 
taught by the aid of the manikin, and suitable and 
appropriate drawings. 

Dr. A. Landis, proprietor of the Water-Cure Es- 
tablishment, on the corner of Spruce and Twentieth 
streets, Philadelphia, is an able lecturer on the mani- 
kin. Much practical information may be gained by 
attending both his public and private lectures, with 
theuse of his manikin, which represents both the 
male and female organism. 



rni; 1A.MII.\ PHYSICIAN. MHI 

METERIA MEDICA 

The following named preparations arc neatly put 
up and accompanied by the necessary directions 
use, by Robert A. Hance, successor to Aaron Comfort, 
deceased, No. 729 Market St., Philadelphia. Many 
of them ran be obtained of the principal druggisl 
Salem, Ohio: 

Composition Powder. — This preparation induces a 
natural warmth of the system, promotes perspiration 
and the secretions. For colds and slight attacks of 
disease, it is almost a sovereign remedy. It may be 
used in any ease with safety. 

Spiced Bitters.— Is a mild tonic and stimulant. It 
is beneficial in eases of debility. 

Ladies' Spiced Bitter*. — Is particularly adapted to 
weakness and diseases of females. 

No. 4 Bitters. — Is a pure tonic. It is good to cor- 
rect the bile and create an appetite. 

Xo. 3 Powder. — Is designed to remove the morbid 
secretions from the system. 

Anti-Acid Powder. — Is adapted to cases of sour 
stomach and costiveness. 

Conserve of Hollyhock. — Is good for colds, hoarse- 
ness, sore throat, bronchitis, affections of the breast, 
etc. It is very servicable to persons who are liable 
to take cold from exposure. 

Nerve Powder. — Is a safe and valuable medicine in 
nervous affections. 

No.3,or Anti-Canker Pills.— Axe designed to re- 
move the foul or morbid secretions from the system, 
which is attendant on almost all cases of disease. 
They assist digestion, promote a healthy action in 
the stomach and bowels, and are very servicable in 
cases of low spirits, or despondency. ' They are one 
of our most valuable preparations. 

Compound Lobelia Pills.— May be used with greal 
benefit in rheumatism, asthma, cough, neuralgia, etc 
They awaken sensibility and promote the secretion-. 
They may be used with safety. 

Anti-Dyspeptic Pill*.— Are especially beneficial in 
dyspepsia. 

Tonic Pitts.— For ague and intermittent fever 



200 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

Injection Powder. — The use of this preparation 
strengthens the bowels. It is an important remedy 
in cases of dysentery, colic, relax, also for costivenesa. 
The benefit that may be derived from the use of 
enemas is not generally known. 

Cough Lozenges. — Good for dry hacking cough. 

Cough Powders. -Adapted to cases ofcold and cough . 

Tooth Powder. — To clean the teeth, improve the 
breath, and restore diseased gums. 

Healing /Salve. — For all cases of sores and wounds. 

Strengthening Plaster. — For weakness in the back, 
or other part of the body. 

Cancer Plaster. — For taking out cancers and clean- 
ing old indolent ulcers. 

Adhesive Plaster. — Is of great importance in cuts, 
or wounds, when the parts require being held 
together. 

Headache Snuff. — Affords great relief in catarrh, 
cold in the head, headache, etc. 

Sterling's Cure-Ail Salve. — For all kinds of sores, 
and also for a burn or scald. 

Third Preparation of Lobelia. — Is a medicine of 
great power and efficacy in relieving sudden and vio- 
lent attacks of disease, as convulsions, or fits, colic, 
cramp, cholera, suspended animation from injury or 
other cause, and assisting nature in. cases of small 
pox, scarlet fever, etc., by inducing a determination 
to the surface. It is a safe and efficient emetic. 

Prepared Lobelia Emetic. — Is an active, safe, and 
efficient emetic. 

Compound Vcderian Carminative. — Is a substitute 
for the various preparations of opium. It allays ner- 
vous excitement, quiets restless children, and pro- 
motes sleep without entailing the bad effects of opium. 

Tincture of Lobelia. — Is one of the most valuable of 
medicines for infants and children. It may be used 
with benefit in nearly all the complants attending- 
infancy. It affords great relief in asthma and affec- 
tions of the breast. 

Tincture of Myrrh. — Is good for wounds, diseased 
gums, &c. 

No. 6, or Pheumatic Drops. — Is used as a general 
medicine in slight ailments, such as colic, headache, 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN 2(11 

omach, rheumatic affections, etc A! 
local application lor sprains, bruises, pains, rh 
o&n, etc. For fresh wounds it scarcely hi 

No. 5 Syrup. — Is good for bowel complaint in chil- 
dren, and to restore weak patients when recovering 
sickness. 
U Syrup. — Is adapted to cough in general, and 
asthmatic affections. 

Compound Syrup of Hoarhound.—ls a valuable 
remedy in affections of* the chest, and particularly 
when expectoration is free. 

Croup Syrup. — Is prepared for the relief of croup. 

Worm Syrup. — Designed to expel worm-. 

Butternut Syrup. — Operates as a physic. 

Cholera Mixture. — This preparation we do not hesi- 
tate to recommend as the most effectual remedy 
known for bowel complaints in general. 

Wine Bitters. — Warms the stomach and excites to 
healthy action. 

NOTICE. — It must be evident to every' one that 
medicine, to have its proper effect, must be genuine, 
pure, and uninjured by age, or exposure. Hence \l 
is all important that those who would be benefitted 
by the use of these medicines, should look well to 
their qualities. These remarks are deemed necessa- 
ry; because large quantities of the Botanic medicines, 
particularly Composition Powder, Capsicum, Bay- 
berry, and No. 6, are manufactured by Druggists and 
others, and being composed of bad materials, are 
unfit for use as medicine. Persons not interested in 
advancing the botanic practice, take advantage of 
opportunities for working off cheap and damaged 
articles in the way of botanic compounds, when the 
fraud is not easily detected, except by good judges. 
In this way essential injury is done Thomson's sys- 
tem, and the benefit that would be received from the 
use of good medicine is not realized. With the ex- 
ception of ISO. 6, it is difficult to give tests by which 
those not familiar with the medicine can judge cor- 
rectly of their quality. The No. 6, when good, 
should present the appearance of milk when combin- 
ed with three or four times its quantity of water. 
When this effect is not produced, or when it has a 



202 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 



rank, bitter taste, it is not good, and should not be 
used internally. 



SIMPLE MEDICINE— Crude and Powdered. 



Archangel, 

A ven's Root, 
Balmony, 
Barbary, 
Bayberry, 

Balsam Fir, 

Beth Root, 

Bitter Root, 

Button Snake Root, 

Black Root, 

Blood Root, 

Boneset, 

Bugle, 

Burdock Root, 

Burdock Seed, 

Burdock Leaves, 

Butternut Bark, 

Bitter Sweet, 

Balm, 

Black Alder Bark, 

Black Snake Root, 

Black Cohosh, 

Blue Cohosh, 

Black Birch Bark, 

Blackberry Root, 

Blue Flag, 

Blessed Thistle, 

Cocash, 

Charcoal Purified, 

Cloves, 

Colic Root, 

Cinnamon, 

Camphor, 

Cow Parsnip, 

Crane's Bill, 

Comfrey, 

Colt's Foot, 

Catnip, 

Celendine, 

Carrot Seed, wild 

f'entuary, 

Chamomile, 

Cramp Bark, 

Cleavers, 

Chequer Berry, 

Dandelion, 

Dock Root, 

Dogwood Bark, 

Dittany, 

Dewberry Root, 

Elder Berries, 



Elecampane, 

Elder Flowers, 

Fern Meadow, 

Fleabane, 

Frostwort, 

Feather Few, 

Fever Few, 

Fern Sweet, 

Flaxseed, 

Garget, 

Ginseng, 

Golden Rod, 

Golden Thread, 

Gravel Plant, 

Ground Ivy, 

Ginacum, 

Ginger Jamaica, 

Ginger Root, 

Golden Seal, 

Gum Myrrh, 

Gum Arabic, 
Gum Guiacum, 

Hardhack Leaves, 

Hoarhound, 

Horsemint, 

Hyssop, 

Hemlock Bark, 

Indian Hemp, 

Indian Turnip, 

Johnswort, 

Juniper Berries, 

Lobelia Seed, 

Lobelia Herb, 

Life Everlasting, 

Life Root, 

Liverwort, 

Lovage, 

Lungwort, 

Mugwort, 

Mullein, 

Motherwort, 

Marsh Rosemary, 

Mandrake, 

Maiden Hair, 

Male Fern, 

Mallows, 

Masterwort , 

Mustard Seed, 

Mavweed, 

Oak Bark, black 

Oak Bark, white 



Oak Bark, red 
Pleurisy Root, 
Poplar Bark, 
Prickly Ash Bark, 
Prickly Ash Berries, 
Pappoose Root, 
Partridge Berry, vine 
Parsley Leaves, 
Pennyroyal, 
Peruvian Bark, 
Princes Pine, 
Pipsisaway, 
Queen of the Meadow 
Quince Seed, 
Raspberry Leaves, 
Rue, 

Slippery Elm, 
Sumac Berries, 
Sumac Leaves, 
Scull Cap, 
Skunk Cabbage, 
Sup. Car. of Soda, 
Solomon's Seal, 
Southern Wood, 
Snake Root, Virginia 
Snake Root, black 
Snake Root, Seneca 
Spikenard, 
Spearmint, 
Squaw Root, 
Squaw Weed, 
Sweet Gale, 
Sweet Flag, 
Sweet Marjoram, 
Sage, 

Sarsaparilla, 
Sassafras Bark, 
Sassafras Pith, 
Scabions, 
Summer Savory, 
Thyme, 
Unicorn, 
Vervain, 
Worm Wood, 
AVatermelon Seed, 
Wild Indigo, 
Wintergreen, 
Wild Cherry Bark, 
Witch Hazel, 
W. Walnut Bark, 
Yarrow. 



TH r. FAMILY PHYSICS \ N . lU". 

Having met with some opposition in the pr 
of medicine, and especially among medical | 
sors, I was induced to obtain the testimony of a few 
of the numerous cases I have successfully treated: 

Salem, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1857.— This Is to certify that Mrs. Rachel 
M. Watson, attended my wife for gathered breast in the year 
1854, and was entirely successful in effecting a cure after other 
physicians had failed to do any good, -signed, 

CHARLES YATES. 

North Georgetown, Ohio, Sept. 15, 1858. — I hereby certify that my 
wife was afflicted with a very sore breast, and having railed to 
obtain relief from other physicians, applied to Mrs. Rachel M. 
Watson, whose medicines gave her immediate relief, and effect- 
ed a speedy and permanent cure. HENRY Ft >X. 



Salem, June, 18.59. — This i.s to certify that after being afflicted 
with a sore breast for three months, in which time erysipelas 
followed, I applied to Mrs. Rachel M. Watson, who performed ;i 
speedy and permanent cure, after other physicians had failed 
to give relief. Mrs. MARY A. TATEM. 



Solon, OJiio, Dec. 3, 18-37.— I cheerfully certify that Mrs. Rachel 
M. Watson, cured my wife of gathered breast after other doctors 
had failed to do her any good. SIMON SUMMERS. 



Harrisburgh, Dec. 3, 1857.— This is to certify, that my wife had 
a very sore breast for ten weeks, and was attended by a physi- 
cian during that time without receiving any benefit. I then 
procured the services of Mrs. Watson, who relieved her in 21 
hours, and cured her entirely in a short time. 

Dr. P. FRYFOGLE. 

Salem, Ohio, Dec. 3, 1857.— This is to certify, that my wife was 
taken very suddenly with congestion of the liver, and was so 
bad that for a time I despaired of her recovery; but soon had 
the satisfaction of seeing her mend rapidly under the treatment 
of Mrs. Rachel M.Watson, whose medicines restored her to 
health in a very short time. J. W. BUCK, 

Manager W. U. Telegraph. 



y M THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

"WHAT I LIVE FOR." 

"I live for those who love me, 

For those I know are true, 
For the heaven that smiles above me, 

And waits my spirit too! 
For the human ties that bind me, 
For the task by God assigned me, 
For the bright hopes left behind me, 
And the good that I can do. 

"I live to learn the story, 
Who have suffered for my sake, 

To emulate their glory, 
And follow in their wake: 

Bards, Martyrs. Patriots, Sages, 

The noble of all ages, 

Whose deeds crown history's pages, 
And times great volume make. 

" I live to hail the season, 
By gifted minds foretold, 
When man shall rule by reason, 

And not alone by gold. 
When man to man united, 
And every wrong thing righted, 
The whole world shall be lighted, 
As Eden was of old. 

"I live to hold communion 

With all that is divine, 
To feel there is a union 

'Twixt nature's heart and mine; 
To profit by affliction, 
Reap truths from fields or fiction, 
Grow wiser from conviction, 

And fulfill each grand design. 

"To live for those who love me, 

For those I know are true, 
For the heaven that smiles above me, 

And waits my spirit too; 
For the wrong that needs resistance, 
For the cause that lacks assistance, 
For the future in the distance, 
And the good that I can do." 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction v 

Deatb of Samuel Thomson, M. L)., 9 

Letters of Dr. Waterhouse, 12 

Principles of Medicine, 32 

Theories of Medicine, 37 

Remarks :-(,s 

The Unity of Disease?, II 

General Directions for administering a Course of Medicine, 47 

Remarks Concerning various Symptoms thtt attend the Oppo- 
sition of a Course of Medicine 53 

Of Peculiar Symptoms Sometimes Observed During the Oppo- 

ration of a Course of Medicine, 55 

The Vapor Bath, 61 

The Vapor Bath, Directions for Administering, 63 

The Hot-Air Bath 6fi 

Warm Water Foot-Bath, 16:5 

DISEASES. 

Ague and Fever, S2 

Apoplexy, Paralysis, Epilepsy, &c, 137 

Bleeding from the Lungs, 144 

Cholera Morbus, 90 

Cholera Infantum, 91 

Cholera, 93 

Cholera, Prevention of 98 

Cholera, Cases of 100 

Croup, 145 

Dysentery, S5 

Disease of the Kidneys, 134 

Disease of the Liver, 135 

Dyspepsia — Indigestion, 136 

Diptheria 139 

Disease of the Heart, 141 

Dropsical Affections, 142 

Erysipelas, 1 I 7 

Fever and its Treatment, 6fl 

Felons and Abscesses 120 

Fainting 142 



20G THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

Hydrophobia, 123 

Infantile Convulsions, 1:^7 

Jaundice, 138 

Measles , 1 1S 

Neuralgia 141 

Prickly Heat, 11(5 

Piles 134 

Pleurisy, 142 

Quinsy, 143 

Rheumatism, 143 

Small-Pox 109 

Scald-Head, 115 

Scarlet Fever, 119 

Shingles, 119 

Sprains, 12b* 

Sick Headache, 139 

Stroke of the Sun, 143 

Tetter llrt 

Treatment of Old Sores, Chronic Ulcers, Ac, 120 

Tape Worm, 126 

Vaccination — Cow Pox, Ill 

Wounds, Cuts, and Bruises, 125 

Worms in the Stomach and Bowels, 133 

Whooping Cough, 138 

Bathing in the Hot Season, 163 

Caution to Parents, &c, 154 

Connection Between Mind and Body, 162 

Diseases Produced by Sleeping Together, 157 

Hot Medicine in Warm Weather, 153 

Preservation of the Eyes, 149 

Wakefulness in Disease, &c, ..152 

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF SOME OF THE MOST IM- 
PORTANT ARTICLES USED IN THE PRACTICE OF 
MEDICINE. 

Balm, 169 

Cider, 165 

Capsicum 172 

Charcoal, Purified 172 

Compound Lobelia Pills, 174 

Fivefinger, 170 

Ginger, 164 

Injection Powder, 175 

Lobelia Inflata, 170 

Myrrh, 166 

Myrrh Pills, 167 

IVyrrh, Infusion of 167 

Mvrrh, Tincture of 167 

Mjrrh Powder, 169 



THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN, 207 

.Motherwort, I,;,, 

No. S. or Anii Canker Pills, I 

Plantain I,,,, 



Sunar, 






Vinegar, ,,■,, 

PLASTERS AND POULTICES. 

Catnip Poultice, \--j 

Charcoal Poultice, 1 7s 

Kinolient ami Slightly Stimulating Poultices, 177 

F<>r Swelling Caused by Cold in a Sore, 177 

Mustard Plaster, I 7,; 

Myrrh Poultice, 17s 

Poultice for Neuralgia, <fcc, 177 

Yeast Poultice, I 7> 

SALVES, LINIMENTS AND OINTMENTS. 

Ammonia Liniment, 181 

Palm of Gilead Ointment, | 711 

Oumphor Liniment, 181 

Excelsior Salve, 17S 

Soap Liniment — Opodeldoc, 181 

Simple Cerate, 18] 

Tar Ointment 1 SI 

Universal Salve, 180 

White Liniment, ISO 

COUGHS, COLDS, &C. 

Balsam of Honey, 183 

Compound Balsam of Hoarhound, 182 

Cough Syrup Is2 

Remedy for Seated Coughs, &c, 1S2 

To Stop a Fit of Coughing, 1*2 

MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES. 

Anti-Dyspeptic Pills, 187 

Another Remedy for Dyspepsia, 187 

An ti- Scorbutic Powder, 192 

Bad Sore, Remedy for 186 

Blackberry Syrup, 188 

Bee Stings, &c, 189 

Comfort's Cholera Mixture, I s -i 

Cholera Medicine, l s > r > 

Chilblains, Cure for 184 

Colic Drops, ' s "> 

Cider Wine, How to Prepare I s > 

Common Colic, Cure for 190 

Constipation, Remedy for 188 

Chafing 189 



208 THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN. 

Composition Powder, Thomson's l«t» 

Debility of the Stomach — Excellent Remedy, 186 

Earache, , ]<Kl 

Female Strengthening Syrup, |8* 

Felon, Cure for 188 

Fever Sores, Turnip for 191 

Gnngrene, Carbuncles, Ac, Remedy for 1X4 

Lockjaw, Cure for 183 

Lime- Water, How to Prepare 1*7 

Liniment for Rheumatism and Sore Throat 185 

Poison — Antidote, ' 191 

Poison — Antidote, Another 191 

Stranguary, Cure for... 186 

Tar-Water, How to Prepare 1S7 

Tar- Water for Eruptions, 189. 

"Wen , C ure for 1 84 

Worms, Remedy for lSri 

NOURISHING DRINKS AND DIET FOR THE SICK. 

Barley Water, 195 

Crust Coffee 193 

Dried Beef Tea 193 

Essence of Beef 193 

Essence of Chicken, 193 

Egg Soup 193 

Graham Biscuit 194 

Indian Meal Gruel, 195 

Liquorice Root Tea, 193 

Mulled Buttermilk, 194 

Oat Meal Gruel,.... 195 

Peculiars, orGraham Puffs, 194 

Sasaparilla Beer, 192 

Unbolted Wheat Flour Gruel, 194 

Wheat Bran Gruel, 195 

Food for Infants 195 

Method of Drying Roots and Herbs, 196 

Materia Medica, .'.:.-.-. 199 

Tobacco, 197 

The Manikin, 7 9S 

Certificates • 203 

What I Live For..... 204 ■ 



4 IQf.b 



